Isa. 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
In an attempt to relieve the voice of the world's debate in my own head: (discussion, argument, dispute, war of words, dissension, disagreement, contention, conflict) I saw need to look at consider again the word reason. Looking at the vines dictionary: reason points to the significance of "the inward thought itself, a reckoning, a regard, a reason," translated "reason" in Acts 18:14, "according to reason (I would bear with you);" in 1Pet.3:15 "a reason (concerning the hope that is in you)." "To seek or examine together,” "to discuss," is translated "reasoning" in Mark 12:28 ("questioning"); similarly in Luke 24:15. See DISPUTE Isa.41:21 Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
Looking at the word cause: reasonable grounds for doing, thinking, or feeling something, a principle aim, or movement that because of a deep commitment, one is prepared to defend or advocate. To make a common cause, unite in order to achieve a shared aim.
So what would be ones cause? Fear, loneliness, barrenness, acceptance, and provision in the natural to list a few...these certainly have entered in of late. Even emptiness in seeing so many dreams unattained that seems all but consuming at times. Yet it says we are to bring our cause to the Lord and receive from him the answer to our hearts desire... in light of that all else grows pretty dim.
Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
“I gather thee” what a spell that weaves... To know it is all about his union with us and not any discourse the world has to offer. Reading on I am captivated to rest in his ability in the shadow of his wings...and not in my own insecurity.
Isa. 54:9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. 11 O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. 16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, (inheritance, birthright, legacy, ancestry, lineage, descent, roots) and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
1Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
And finally: 1Peter 1:3,9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
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MOUNT ZION: BY JOANNE CAIN