Susan Lafferty“Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted….”
He will build you a strong and beautiful foundation. Sapphires. And your wall? Precious stones. (Isaiah 54:11-12)
Then, that word mothers hear. And sigh in relief.
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
and great shall be the peace of your children.” (Isaiah 54:13)
Hope. For the city of Zion.
My mother tells the story. Her dad was going blind. So every morning she or her sister would stop by the home where he stayed. And read the Bible to him.
One particular day, Mom was in a hurry. On a tight schedule. She rushed in with no time to spare. Out of breath and talking fast. “So, Daddy, which chapter do you want me to read today?”
In his slow Southern drawl, Grandaddy said “Well, how about Psalm 119?”
“How can this be…?” Mary asks. Stunned. Confused by the angel Gabriel’s announcement.
How can a virgin conceive and give birth to the Son of the Most High whose kingdom will have no end?
The angel is tender in his response to this young woman. Explaining what will happen. That the Holy Spirit will come upon her. And the power of the Most High will overshadow her.
