Many people have written me lately, precious people living in a seemingly endless struggle of some sort. For some it is a failing marriage, others have lost children to the world, some are battling depression and spiritual confusion and others are afflicted or have loved ones dying of various diseases. Sometimes I just don't know what to say, for our struggle, too, seems endless and often fruitless. But something deep inside me keeps rising up this time will end. God will rise up and have compassion for the appointed time has come. (Ps. 102:13) I truly believe we are living in a very special appointed time when the harvest of past sin and spiritual blindness in the Body of Christ will be destroyed as God's harvest (planted by years of prayer and watered with the tears of God's people) comes forth. I didn't want to write this letter because I don't feel it and I don't see it BUT God has put it in me, therefore I believe. And through this letter He is sending me to comfort you who mourn over past and present sin, evil circumstances and other things that have had you or your loved ones bound. He is saying, "Fear not for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confused for you shall not be put to shame; for you shall forget the shame of your youth." (Is. 54:8) What He is talking about goes way beyond our concept of salvation. It would be enough just to be forgiven and saved out of our sins and past mistakes. But don't you often wish you could do certain things over? Do you sometimes grieve over years that may seem wasted? God knows this and is touched by these feelings. It may be the enemy that devoured us or our own foolishness but God says He will restore the years the locust ate (Joel 2:25) and give back double what we forfeited in our time of captivity. (Is. 61:7 Amp) This aspect of His nature is called redemption. He actually takes what was meant for evil and brings good from it. I remember 7 or 8 years ago when God made this real to me through a story I'd read. I recorded it so I'd never forget it. It was about "Glass Beach" on the coast of Northern California. This beach is so beautiful it appears to be covered with splendid jewels of every hue. People come from around the world to collect these "jewels" as treasured displays for their homes. What is so amazing is that up until 1920, this very site was the town's trash dump. The sand was completely covered with broken glass whatever didn't decompose or wash away. Fire that was used to burn the trash melted much of the glass which was then buffed by waves and rough tides into the polished gems found today. I remember the article concluded with "Man defaces, but nature, given time, often erases." But I hardly think that tells it all. What was worthless was washed away but the rest, though it started as trash, was recreated into a thing of beauty! And that is what God is doing with us in His work of redemption. He is taking the trash of our lives through the fire and deep water, washing away what is worthless and making beauty out of the broken pieces that remain. The process looks different at each stage before the beauty emerges. Perhaps all you see are broken ugly pieces right now. But God is saying this to you, "O you afflicted, storm tossed and not comforted. Behold I will set your stones in fair colors and lay your foundations with sapphires." (Is. 54:11) This is His word to all who are not comforted, who cannot yet see the way through the darkness. He is laying a foundation which will not be shaken for me and for you.
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