It is sunny and 63 degrees in the Motor City. I took my car in for its 10,000 mile check up today and everyone at the dealership was giddy. Several warm days in a row has put us all in a good mood, given us hope.
New life is poking up through the straw in my garlic bed.
And in my city:
Tough, Cheap, and Real, Detroit Is Cool Again | National Geographic.
There was a big prayer walk through the city 4 years ago.
It was thrilling to see people of all ages come from the suburbs to join those who live in the city to pray for Detroit. I loved overhearing the fellowship of people who had nothing in common but Jesus. I was blessed by the beautiful voices of the Evangel Temple singers who were directly behind me, singing as they walked. I loved coming upon random groups performing on various street corners.
It made me think of what Isaiah said:
“Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn… Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you… Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.” Isaiah 60:1-5
The size of the crowd was impressive. Not as impressive as it is when the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup. Not as impressive as it would have been if EVERY Christian from EVERY church in the city and suburbs had come. Not as impressive as it would have been if our Jewish neighbors had been invited to join us. But still my heart throbbed and swelled with joy.
And God was listening to our prayers that day.
It is going to be glorious times a million on the day when people stream to Jerusalem from every nation. Isaiah said we will be bringing gifts and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. We won’t be walking in silent prayer – like I mostly was unless someone came along and said, “If you love Jesus say glory” – we will be proclaiming praises. We’ll probably all be singing as we walk – most likely we’ll be singing Psalm 118.
Zephaniah 3:9 says, “Then I will purify the lips of my peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder.” Jews and Gentiles, males and females alike serving Him shoulder to shoulder.
God bless Detroit.
