Jerusalem - The HOLY CITY of GOD

Isaiah 48 [The Message]
Tested in the Furnace of Affliction 1-10

"And now listen to this, family of Jacob, you who are called by the name Israel: Who got you started in the loins of Judah, you who use God's name to back up your promises and pray to the God of Israel? But do you mean it?

Do you live like it? You claim to be citizens of the Holy City; you act as though you lean on the God of Israel, named God-of-the-Angel-Armies. For a long time now, I've let you in on the way I work: I told you what I was going to do beforehand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that. I know you're a bunch of hardheads, obstinate and flint-faced, So I got a running start and began telling you what was going on before it even happened. That is why you can't say, 'My god-idol did this.'

'My favorite god-carving commanded this. 'You have all this evidence confirmed by your own eyes and ears.

Shouldn't you be talking about it? And that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed. This isn't a variation on the same old thing.

This is new, brand-new, something you'd never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won't be able to say, 'I knew that all along. 'You've never been good listeners to Me.

You have a history of ignoring Me, A sorry track record of fickle attachments—

rebels from the womb. But out of the sheer goodness of My heart, because of who I am,I keep a tight rein on My anger and hold My temper. I don't wash My hands of you. Do you see what I've done?
I've refined you, but not without fire. I've tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction. Out of Myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do.

There is nothing more breathtaking than Jerusalem! When our eyes met this Holy City there were gasps under our breath - then came the silence of all those on our tour bus. There is no describing it. The walls and buildings of this city are smaller in scale than I had imagined which makes seeing it that much more surreal. There is an air of ancient days that never left my senses the entire time we visited. Everyone in the bus said, "This feels like HOME!" For sure it was home for us.

I will be sharing passages from The Message [a paraphrase] because that is what God asked me to take along - rather than my heavy pen-noted study Bible. He had said before I left - to just 'read it like a story' and just enjoy His Presence in that place with no work - no preparation - no preconceptions on my part. I should just flow with all that He had to show me and those with me. Indeed, He led me by the hand as my ultimate tour guide.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

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