Therefore rid yourself of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. James 1:21 NRSV.

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 NKJV.

But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released. Malachi 4:2.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 ESV.

Our next chapter, Isaiah 4, is only 6 verses. I couldn’t help but wonder about the time frame in the first verse and in the remaining verses. In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!” v. 1. So much of prophecy has its nearer fulfillment and the final fulfillment when Jesus returns. In the last chapter, Isaiah foretold the destruction of war…Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground. 3:25-26. I remember in a movie about World War II, a large band of Jews were able to hide together in the woods, led by two brothers. Living was rough and women needed the protection of men even in that camp. And then the fulfillment of when Jesus returns…In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. v. 2-6. Over everything the glory will be a canopy. The earlier fulfillment was the cloud by day and fire by night for the children of Israel in the desert after slavery in Egypt. When Jesus returns it won’t be just for Israel but for all of the children of Creator God – Father…Son…Spirit. There will come a time when evil will be no more. Healing and teaching will be needed for all. Understanding takes time. The old will be no more. There is such a blessing when we respond to God’s call to our spirit. The Spirit of Life. Worship of our God begins first of all in our hearts and souls turned to Him. It’s deeply personal. Heart to heart…Spirit to spirit. Life lived with Him guiding us.