October 4

Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up; they will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed. — Isa 55:13 BSB

God’s sweetest memorial is the thornbush that blooms with flowers of peace and sweetness, where once there were only thorns and bitterness.

Beloved, God is ready to create such memorials in your life from the things that hurt you the most right now. Take the grievances, the broken relationships, and the heartaches that have caused you pain, and let God heal them. Let Him give you grace to reconcile with those you’ve been at odds with, and you’ll be amazed at the joy and blessing that will come from things that once brought only regret and sorrow.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. The constant work of our Redeemer is to reconcile those who are estranged from God, and the highest, most Christ-like work we can do is to follow His example.

Will we step out to dry the tears of a hurting world, to heal the brokenhearted, to bind up the wounds of others, and to bring people closer to one another and to God?