Isaiah 54:4-17

My sister recently emailed me and told me that this passage struck her as relevant for me. I read it over (as I have, many times before, I'm sure) and was absolutely floored. I continue to be overwhelmed at how much it applies to me and I'm just trying to grasp at the truth it holds. I have highlighted the things that have jumped out at me most.

4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth

and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For your Maker is your husband—

the LORD Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

he is called the God of all the earth.
6 The LORD will call you back

as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—

a wife who married young,

only to be rejected," says your God.
7 "For a brief moment I abandoned you,

but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger

I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

I will have compassion on you,"

says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 "To me this is like the days of Noah,

when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.

So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,

never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,"

says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11 "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,

I will build you with stones of turquoise,

your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your battlements of rubies,

your gates of sparkling jewels,

and all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your son(s) will be taught by the LORD,

and great will be your children's peace.
14 In righteousness you will be established:

Tyranny will be far from you;

you will have nothing to fear.

Terror will be far removed;

it will not come near you.
15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;

whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith

who fans the coals into flame

and forges a weapon fit for its work.

And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,

and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,

and this is their vindication from me,"

declares the LORD.