See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.

The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create,

for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.

I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people;

the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

Isaiah 65:17-19

For the last several weeks, we’ve been talking about a God who is “With and For the City,” and reminding us of our call to be “With and For” our city as well.  The last book of the Bible gives us a picture of a new city, where there is no more death, no more crying, no more pain (see Revelation 21:4).  

Isaiah gave us this same promise hundreds of years before Jesus walked on earth. Jesus showed the glimpse of this new reality as people who were held captive by illness, disease and evil were set free. And we learn in the Book of Revelation that it is this same Jesus who is at the center of this new heaven and new earth.

Though the story of human cities pictured in the Bible and in world history beyond is a checkered one to say the least, God’s plan includes restored cities marked by His peace, life, wholeness, abundance, love between humanity and God and with one another. These words and more come close to understanding the idea of the Hebrew word shalom. Constant in God’s plan is both a people—renamed and renewed—and a place—restored and made beautiful.

The picture in Isaiah 65:17-25 (read the whole passage!) is truly remarkable. Consider some of the promises: No more weeping and crying. No more infant deaths or decline of our bodies due to old age. We will enjoy the work of our hands. Parenting—get this—is a joy! And creation is no longer at odds with one another. Indeed, may this new heaven and new earth come quickly.

May we continue the work that God is creating in the world, as we long for the day of new creation.

Grace and peace,

David

They will be called the Holy People,

the Redeemed of the Lord;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted.

Isaiah 62:12

I want to confess something.  I’m a sucker for those articles that talk about “The Most Desirable Cities in California.”  I always want to see Sacramento towards the top of the list.  Though I did not grow up here, it has been home for me and my family for nine years.  I see it trying to establish an identity, seeking to draw in people from other parts of our country and state.  There have been plans for our downtown waterfront, plans for new professional sports teams, plans for more affordable housing, and more—these are all attempts to be a city that is “sought after.”  

We’ve seen over the past few weeks that God has a heart for the city, especially one in which there has been devastation and brokenness.  Again and again, the people who call on God’s Name are the agents of restoration.  Again and again, God renames His people to fit their new identity as ones that accomplish His mission of rebuilding.

This may be unfamiliar territory for us in our journey of faith. But when we read Isaiah 62: 1-12, we see a foreshadowing of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us: salvation, a new name, a bridegroom and a bride. And one day, we trust that when He returns, we indeed will see a new city that looks like a garden, and God’s dwelling place will be with us. To be clear, we don’t hasten His return by doing the work of restoration in our cities. But we are clearly called to restore what is broken to show the heart of God, who is With and For Us and His creation.

Grace and peace,

David