Promise of Restoration

Welcome Back!
We are going to shift to something different here on the blog. Let's talk about one of my favorite hobbies, reading. I read to relax and practice self-care. 

Are you a Christian fiction reader? Have you ever seen the words from scripture come to life in a book you were reading? 

Let's talk about it. 


This year, I began a separate blog specifically for Bible study called "Come Bible Study with me." As I've been studying and sharing from the book of Isaiah, I couldn't help but to make a connection with two books I read last summer. Yes, those books are still living rent-free in my mind. They are a part of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. 

Just as God promised restoration to Israel and the coming Messiah who would come through them, he restored the main character and used her for His glory. 

Scripture: 
The scripture I'm referencing is in Isaiah 4: 2-3 - "In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel. And he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who has been recorded for life in Jerusalem,"

Insight:
Although Isaiah 4 is in the Old Testament and the stories are set in the New Testament, the common denominator is Christ, "The Branch of the LORD," the redeemer. This scripture spoke to me and reminded me of Hadassah, the main character in "A Voice in the Wind" and "An Echo in the Darkness." Yes, these books are fiction, but God is still performing miracles, healing, and restoring in real life as in these novels. 


This story was set during the time of the Roman Empire, the first Jewish-Roman War, after the death of Christ. Hadassah survives great loss and experiences the destruction of Jerusalem and is sold into slavery. But God! I promise I will try not to give away specifics. Stay with me while I help you see the connection. 

When the story begins, Hadassah's faith is weak due to her circumstances. Soon she is given over as a slave girl. As she walks through horrific situations, her faith grows, and it keeps her grounded. She trusts in Christ through it all. She never loses her faith, even when her life is on the line. As she remains a light in darkness, God brings her through and restores her, giving her beauty for ashes. 

Application:
Now, why did I connect scripture to a fiction novel? First, because I love Christian fiction. Second, because many can see Him through a fictional character written from the heart of a Christian who has experienced Him. So, what's our takeaway from Isaiah 4 and this fictional story? 

We can understand that life may not be perfect. As believers, we will experience hardships, but God will bring us out on the other side because He has a purpose for us as He did for Israel. Christ came through their lineage and redeems souls as they place their trust in Him.  

Therefore, like Hadassah, hold on to your faith in Christ. He will see you through and use you for His glory. Now, go check out her story and find other connections from the scriptures. Don't read it too fast because it will pull you in quickly. Read it slowly and absorb it. You will not be disappointed. 

Prayer:
Father, I pray that your daughter who is reading this will always remember that your plan for them is not destruction, even in the midst of trouble or even loss. Help her to see that you have a purpose and a plan for you. Help her to hold on to your unchanging hands and allow you to lead her into a place of safety. 

Call to Action:
In addition, join us for our study in Isaiah. All you need is your Bible, a notebook, and to click on the blog to read on your own time, at your own pace. I also share literacy strategies to assist you while you are reading. See the link below if you are interested in joining: 

https://hope-in-christ.com/come-bible-study-with-me.html


Finally, like, share, and leave a comment of what you thought about this blog post. Come back and share when you've checked out the books or others that connect with a scripture you're reading. 


Thanks for stopping by and keep living "That HOPE Life!" 


​Denise M. Walker