“Zion” is a Who, Not a Where
“For the Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert
like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanks giving and the voice of melody.” (Isaiah 51:3)
“Zion” is not a geographical location, but rather a people who have humbled themselves, received salvation through the
grace of God in Christ Jesus; a unified people who are persistent in pursuing God and His way of doing things
(righteousness) as described in Eph. 4:1-16 [recommended reading]. Zion=God’s people…you and me, with all who have
believed on the Name of Jesus, together.
Next, we will define several of the words in scripture. This is important, because as we learn God’s definition of Words, it
increases our understanding. Understanding what God means helps to give us a clear picture of what He has for us
(hope). As we meditate on that picture (we accomplish this by speaking scripture over and over to ourselves) faith arises,
and if we have patience, eventually the thing for which we have believed will manifest, i.e. become visible and tangible (see
Mark 4:13-32; Romans 10: 8-10 &17; Mark 5:25-34; Hebrew 11:1). comfort, [Hebrew] nacham; Strong’s #5152; To
comfort, console, extend compassion, sigh with one who is grieving; to repent. Nacham originally may have meant “to
breathe intensely because of deep emotion…” To see this Word in action, read in the Gospels where Jesus was moved by
compassion and healed the sick, and how he empathized so closely with us that He went to the cross at Calvary for our
sins. Because He empathized with us, it caused Him to act and change things on our behalf. When WE empathize with
Him, it causes us to change our thoughts, words and actions to agree with His will, in order to receive all that He has
promised. Repent, [Greek] metanoeo; Strong’s #3340: From meta, “after,” and noeo, “to think.” Repentance is a decision
that results in a change of mind, which in turn leads to a change of purpose and action.
“..Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
(2Cor. 7:10) “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as
the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38 &39)
The Greek or New Covenant definition of comfort, paraklesis; Strong’s #3874; A calling alongside to help, to comfort, to give
consolation or encouragement. The paraklete is a strengthening presence, one that upholds those appealing for
assistance. Paraklesis (comfort) can come to us both by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31) and by the Scriptures (Rom. 15:4). God’
s Word and the Holy Spirit not only show us what we need to change, but they give us the strength and ability to make the
change.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary definitions: waste 1 a.(1); being wild and uninhabited: DESOLATE… b. not
cultivated; not productive 2 : being in a ruined or devastated condition 3 a. discarded as worthless, defective, or of no use;
REFUSE… wilderness, 1a. (1): a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by humans… c.: a part of a garden devoted
to wild growth … Garden, 1a: a plot of ground where fruits, flowers or vegetables are cultivated b: a rich well-cultivated
region. Cultivate, 1: to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops…2a: to foster the growth of… b: culture c: to
improve by labor, care or study: REFINE 3: FURTHER, ENCOURAGE.
Are there gifts or dreams that you have cast aside, thinking they are no longer a part of your life? Maybe you have gifts that
you just haven’t put forth the effort to cultivate, so they just lie there wasted. Or perhaps worse, you have a feeling of total
worthlessness (shame) because you don’t know that God has a garden for you. It is time for us as individuals and as a
Body to cultivate His garden. Find out what God says about you in His Word. Allow Him to change the way you think about
yourself (repent). Be comforted that by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, you can be who He says you are (please
read Is. 54:4, Exodus 19: 5 & 6 and Eph. 4:1-16 again).
We encourage you in the Lord to take this scripture, confess it over your life and the lives of your loved ones DAILY. Then
get ready for positive change (Read 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb4:12).
The Lord will comfort me. He will comfort all my waste places.
He will make my wilderness like Eden, and my desert like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in me, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.
AMEN!
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
