What we are to become...

See, a king will reign in righteousness
and rulers will rule with justice.

Each man will be like a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm,
like streams of water in the desert
and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.

Isaiah 32:1-3 NIV

I came across this amazing piece of scripture during a quiet moment, sitting on the dock, feeling the crisp air and looking out to the lake.

The Kingdom of Righteousness.

How is this kingdom characterized? By it's people, but first, with their king. The king will rule in all that is right, just and virtuous. To be righteous is to stand up for things that have been wronged. To be righteous is to take on the character, likeness and love of Christ.

We are like our King for our own sakes as much as it is for the glory of Him and the healing and blessings of others.

The kingdom of righteousness is defined by it's people who take on the image of their king. It says, 'Each man WILL BE LIKE...' Using the word 'will' implies that it is possible to become what follows...

- a shelter from the wind
- a refuge from the storm
- streams of water in the desert
- a shadow of a great rock in the thirsty land

This is what we can become! When we can reflect the very likeness of Christ and point others to Christ alone, people are freed, released and healed. I love how verse 3 is written.

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen."

It's interesting because the have eyes to see but now they will really be able to see and understand. They had ears to hear but now they will actually be opened to listen. The key word in that verse is 'then' which implies what has to happen before the latter can happen. A tad confusing? Read the verse again - it's all about healing.

My prayer is that I can be a part of that freeing ministry of seeing and understanding, hearing and listening. But first and probably the most important before bearing fruit, as Mike always reminds me, is to become.