Insights on Healing

Narrator

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast.  I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. In this podcast I read scripture, pray, read from one of my books, or tell  stories of the healing power of God, and how many have found purpose in their lives. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Today’s podcast is taken from the Gospel according to St John Chapter 6: verses 32-40. I am reading from the NKJV of the bible

32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will [a]by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Reflection: In Chapter: There is mention of the manna that came from heaven in Moses’ time when God fed the Israelites, but now God gives us, Jesus’ true bread who came from heaven to die on the cross for the sin of mankind and the only way for us to come to God by faith. Just as bread nourishes the body, coming to Jesus and being washed by his saving blood nourishes the soul.

Prayer: Father, I pray that you will draw those to you, who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. I pray that they will confess, repent, and submit their lives to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Narrator

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is “A Cry for Mercy.” You will learn how David cried to God for mercy and how you can do the same.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. In this podcast I read scripture, pray, read from one of my books, or tell  stories of the healing power of God, and how many have found purpose in their lives. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Today’s podcast is taken from Psalm 57, a Psalm of David. I am reading from the NIV version.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
    until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c]
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
    I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

Reflection: David cries out for mercy as he fled from King Saul to a Cave. In his cry for mercy, David asks God to take refuge in the shadow of His wings. He reminds God of His saving grace. He describes his situation to God. He exalts God even during the  problems he faced. He praises and exalts God. We notice a pattern here of how David approaches God, first he asks for mercy and explains why he knows he would obtain mercy from God. Second, he explains the trouble he is in while exalting God. We learn that we, also can go to God when we are in trouble.

Let us pray: God of the universe, we exalt you, we praise you, and give you thanks for keeping us alive during this pandemic. I pray for listeners who are experiencing trouble on every side that you will lift their burdens Lord and provide for them. I pray for those who have lost loved ones that you will comfort them, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast.  I would appreciate it if you would leave your comments to this, and previous podcasts on my website at Joanmblake.com. We now have a “Subscribe” page on my website so you can subscribe to my podcast wherever you listen to music and by email. If you would like to know about future events and book give-aways, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at joanmblake.com. If you wish to contact me directly, you can email me at [email protected]; I will love to hear from you. May God bless and keep you and may you have a blessed New Year.

Narrator

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is: “The Throne of God.” You will learn what Apostle John saw in the heavens.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. In this podcast I read scripture, pray, read from one of my books, or tell  stories of the healing power of God, and how many have found purpose in their lives. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Today’s podcast is taken from the book of Revelation chapter 22: 1-13 NIV version of the bible. I hope that you would find these scripture verses  helpful.

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

John and the Angel

6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

Epilogue: Invitation and Warning

12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and t

Reflections: John, the Apostle who wrote this book, paints a scenic view of what the angel showed him regarding what heaven looks like. The main point here is that God’s saints will see his face and they will serve Him. Each person will receive a reward for what he/she has done. There will be no night for God is light. Jesus is coming soon.

Let’s pray: Father, right now and during this Christmas season, I pray that you will shed your light on each person so that he/she will turn  away from darkness and turn to you, because in you, is life. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast.  I would appreciate it if you would leave your comments to this, and previous podcasts on my website at Joanmblake.com. If you would like to know about future events and book give-aways, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at joanmblake.com. If you wish to contact me, you can email me at [email protected]; I will love to hear from you. May God bless and keep you and may you have an enjoyable holiday and a blessed New Year.

Narrator

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is: “Be Focused.”You will learn how to be focused regardless of the distractions that come in your life.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals dealing with trauma and difficult life situations.

IInsights on healing podcast includes the reading of scripture, praying for my audience, reading from one of my books or interviewing individuals who found purpose through the healing power of God. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Today’s podcast is taken from chapter 15 of my book, Rise up: How to Overcome Your Battles: Utilizing Faith and Belief in God. This chapter is entitled: Be Focused. I think it is so applicable to all of us as we deal  with the Pandemic, a great distraction in our lives. I hope that you would find this presentation helpful.

Father, thank you for loving and protecting us. Thank you for teaching us to be focused. I pray that even in this pandemic, we will be mindful of the need to remain prayerful, focused, and submit to your will. We pray for those who are dealing with loved ones who are ill that you will give them strength and heal their loved ones, and those who have lost loved ones, that you would comfort them in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast where I read from Rise up: How to Overcome Your Battles Utilizing Faith and Belief in God.  I would appreciate if you would leave your comments to this and previous podcasts on my website at Joanmblake.com. If you would like to know about future events and book give-aways, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at joanmblake.com. If you wish to contact me, you can email me  at [email protected]; I will love to hear from you. If you are interested in purchasing Rise up: How to Overcome Your Battles Utilizing Faith and Belief in God, you can do so directly from my website or wherever books are sold. You will love this book. It will help you to understand your identity. It illustrates how much God loves you. It will motivate you to find your purpose in life. It will help you to take a closer look at how you are living currentlyIt will give you tools to establish future goals.You will be able to identify with the stories presented in the book.You can use the book for your own personal devotion, book club, support group or community bible-study.

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is entitled: “Praise the Lord.” You will learn the benefits of praising God.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals dealing with trauma and difficult life situations.

Today’s broadcast is taken from the book of Psalms 147 1-20 NIV. Following the reading of the Scripture, I will reflect on what I have read and pray with and for you.

1 Praise the Lord.[a]

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
    and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
    his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
    but casts the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise;
    make music to our God on the harp.

8 He covers the sky with clouds;
    he supplies the earth with rain
    and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
    and for the young ravens when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;
    praise your God, Zion.

13 He strengthens the bars of your gates
    and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders
    and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.

15 He sends his command to the earth;
    his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
    his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
    they do not know his laws.[b]

Reflection: It is wonderful to praise God who is worthy of our praise. He heals our broken hearts. God is great and he has great power; he is a God of justice. He has power over the heavens and the earth. He is good to those who pays responds to those who call on him. He gives peace in the earth. It is he who is responsible for snow and ice, things we take for granted. God sends his word and destroys strongholds His Statutes and his commandments, he made known to Israel and He is making those known to us as well.

Father, I pray that the reading of your word has fallen on good ground. I pray that your hearers will know and understand the power of your word and know that you heal the broken heart. I pray now for those who are going through difficult situations that you will break the strongholds that come against them in ways to keep them oppressed. I pray now that you will loose them from their attackers in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is: “The Precious Servant of The Lord.” You will learn what God will do for you as His servant.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals dealing with trauma and difficult life situations.

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4     he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
    who gives breath to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not yield my glory to another
    or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
    and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
    I announce them to you.”

10 Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
    you islands, and all who live in them.
11 Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
    let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
    let them shout from the mountaintops.
12 Let them give glory to the Lord
    and proclaim his praise in the islands.
13 The Lord will march out like a champion,
    like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
    and will triumph over his enemies.

14 “For a long time I have kept silent,
    I have been quiet and held myself back.
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
    I cry out, I gasp and pant.
15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills
    and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
    and dry up the pools.
16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
    and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake them.

Narrator

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is: “The Parable of the Lost Son.” You will learn how much God loves you.”

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing Podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals who have dealt with trauma and who are dealing with difficult life-situations.

Insights on healing includes the reading of Scripture, praying for my audience, reading from one of my books and interviewing individuals who found purpose in their lives through the power of God. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Today’s podcast is taken from the book of Luke chapter 15: 11-32 New International Version. Following the reading, I would reflect on the scripture passage and pray.

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

I thank God for the reading of His word. This parable speaks to how God regards us, his children. With love, compassion, and forgiveness, he waits for each of us to come back to Him.

Let us pray. Father, I thank you for your love, compassion, and forgiveness that you afford us. I pray for that man or woman who is listening to this podcast that he/she will not procrastinate but will return to you to receive healing and your blessings of comfort, joy, peace and restoration in the name of Jesus, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast. If you would like to know about future events, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at joanmblake.com. I would also appreciate your comments and subscription, to our podcast. If you wish to contact me, you can email me  at [email protected]; I will love to hear from you. May God bless and keep you.

Narrator

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. Today’s Episode is entitled: “Do not worry: Be Ready.” You will learn how to live in readiness for the coming of your Savior Jesus Christ.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals dealing with trauma and difficult life situations.

Insights on Healing includes the reading of scripture, praying for my audience, reading from one of my books ot interviewing individuals who found purpose through the healing power of God. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

This podcast tells of the healing power of God, and how many have found purpose in their lives. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Today’s podcast is taken from the book of Luke chapter 12: 22-40 New International Version. Following the reading, I would reflect on the scripture passage and pray.

Do not worry; be ready

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Reflection:

We are experiencing a serious pandemic. This is a time to pray and seek the Lord, not to worry about earthly possessions, but to help your neighbor or the poor. We should be focused on preparing for Jesus’ coming which is uncertain.

Prayer: Father, we thank you for your word and we pray that you will create in us a clean heart, that we will be focus on you and not on ourselves. I pray in the name of Jesus, for families all over the world, that you will protect them and provide for them in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast. If you would like to know about future events, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at joanmblake.com. I would also appreciate your comments and subscription, to our podcast. If you wish to contact me, you can email me  at [email protected]; I will love to hear from you. May God bless and keep you.

Narrator

. Today’s Episode is: “The Sinful Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet.” You will learn that you can come to Jesus just as you are.”

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals dealing with trauma and difficult life situations.

IInsights on healing podcast includes the reading of scripture, praying for my audience, reading from one of my books or interviewing individuals who found purpose through the healing power of God. I pray that God would bless you and give you hope.

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast. This episode is entitled :

Today’s podcast is taken from the book of Luke chapter 7:36-50 New International Version. Following the reading, I would reflect on the scripture passage and pray.

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Let us reflect.

From these verses, we notice that the woman, regardless of her past, went to the house where Jesus was to be in his presence and to worship him. The fact that she was weeping showed that she was sorry for the way she lived, and she wanted Jesus to know that by wetting his feet with her tears and pouring the perfume on them. Jesus forgave her of her sin and told her that her faith had saved her.

Let us pray.

Father, thank you for accepting all of us just as we are. We come to you confessing and repenting of our sin and asking for your forgiveness. We ask that you wash us and make us whole again in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast. If you would like to know about future events, I invite you to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at joanmblake.com. I would also appreciate your comments and subscription, to our podcast. If you wish to contact me, you can email me  at [email protected]; I will love to hear from you. May God bless and keep you.

Narration:

Welcome to Insights on Healing a weekly podcast.  Today’s Episode is entitled:”Healing for the Nations.” You will learn how God would bring about Healing to the Nations.

I am Joan M. Blake, author, and I am your host. The purpose of Insights on Healing podcast is to provide content that brings inner healing and restoration to individuals dealing with trauma and difficult life situations.

Today’s podcast is taken from the book of Isaiah chapter 61 New International Version. Following the reading, I would make comments and pray.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.

7 Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.

While this prophecy was fortold by Isaiah, the prophet regarding the Jews who were disposed in Babylon at the time, this prophecy speaks directly to Jesus Christ, God’s son who was sent to minister to the world. He was fitted for the position being filled with the Spirit of God. He was appointed and ordained to be a preacher, a healer, a deliverer, a comforter, the Soveriegn Lord who will bring hope and peace to all nations.

Beloved, we are going through very difficult times: We are in a pandemic, we are going through the process of withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the crisis in Haiti, let us turn to God in prayer. Father God, you know what the world is experiencing right now, so many have died from the covid 19 pandemic, we face the withdrawal from afghanistan, the crisis in Haiti. I pray that you will give world leaders and our government the wisdom and understanding on how to proceed in every situation they face in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I want to thank you for listening to this podcast. Please feel free to subscribe to our newsletter at joanmblake.com where you can purchase inspiring books and much more. Please contact me at [email protected]. May God bless and keep you.