Pearls of Great Value

Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.” Isaiah‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 ““(Skinny kids terrorize my people. Silly girls bully them around. My dear people! Your leaders are taking you down a blind alley. They’re sending you off on a wild-goose chase.”” Isaiah‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

 I heard someone remark on this verse and immediately it struck my heart. I looked it up and I felt tears as I read. The verse speaks on having guides or guardrails in place that are wrongly placed and lead astray. It speaks on youths oppressing and women who are ruling them in godlessness. Who are causing people to go off on a wild-goose chase. That’s heartbreaking and sad.

The word, “infants” or “youths”. It literally means impulsive people. People led about by their emotions and feelings, people who are very immature in faith. The word youth in this verse, in Hebrew also means: To be dealt with in a way that causes suffering; to mistreat, abuse. 

But what struck me is this: it is women who rule over these youths. It’s amazing to me how influential women can be and are. And in this verse, it’s clear that these women are not Godly leaders. They are leading and ruling, but to the detriment of the people.

May I purpose, that we as women, can and do have an impact, a great impact in our world? I keep thinking on how we are to be spiritual mothers to everyone God places in our sphere. What is the job of a mother? To bring forth and raise a new generation in Godliness. We are called to nurture, to teach, to lead by example. And just as those women in Isaiah 3 were an influence to oppress, let us be the exact opposite. Let us speak to the youth, those immature and infant in faith. Let us guide to Jesus and be gracious leaders. Let us nurture the good we see in others and influence them towards being Christ-minded. Soon we’ll see an army for the Lord! Let us be voices of encouragement and truth. Most of all Truth! Jesus said, The truth will set you free! And you know what? I believe that as we speak and live the truths of Jesus, we will see freedom. Freedom from oppression. Freedom from fear and doubt. Freedom from being run over by the lies of the enemy. The truth will bring freedom! 

 As an encouragement, a couple of verses earlier in Isaiah 3 is this word: “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.” Is. 3:10 ESVi. I love that promise!

 Lord, I pray for an army of godly women to awaken in these days! Women who speak truth in love, and are loyal to Your Word. Lord, send harvesters into the field, and we pray for a massive harvest! We pray for words of encouragement and wisdom to come forth, words of peace and love! Let us pick up the sword of the Word and speak forth Gods blessing. Help us to speak Your Words in boldness and honor You in all our ways. Father, enlighten our hearts so that we may know what is the hope of Your calling and what is the immeasurable greatness of Your power to us who believe! Help us to tear down dividing walls of hostility and build up a foundation of love. 1 Cor.13:6 (The Message translation) says this, “But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.” There is nothing more important than learning to love and to know the author of love.

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I pray, don’t let us back away from this responsibility because we might be afraid of the unknown. Or of making mistakes. We can’t let what we don’t know keep us from moving forward. If we don’t know, well,...that is just an opportunity to learn! Inactivity in this time will lead to doubt, to fear, and weariness. Let us be women who submit to God and are His hands, His feet, His Words. I pray for strengthening deep within our hearts, that convicts us to be MOVED, moved by compassion into action. Sometimes, all it takes is one word of wisdom to change a mind. One small action of love to convict a heart. One act of forgiveness to bring forth an awakening. One act of reaching out that breaks down walls. One voice of Jesus speaking forth that causes the enemy to tremble and heaven to rejoice. 

 I know this: I am a child of God, therefore I can be confident. I am chosen by Him, loved by Him and helped by Him. Every step I take the Lord guides me because He is my shepherd. I will be a living sacrifice to Him, holy and acceptable unto Him. I will be a light because the Light of the world lives in me. I seek after His heart and I position myself to hear and honor Him! He is my God and He is fighting for me, and so I fight for Him. I am so blessed!