The Prodigal Daughter

(The story of the daughter of Zion)

 

Once upon a time there was a prodigal daughter. God had showered upon her an abundance of spiritual wealth. But she squandered His grace. Her story is envisaged in the Bible and I have attempted to recapture the story, linking the broken bits together.

The CONDITION of the daughter of Zion was a pathos. She was left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege (Isa 1:8). All the splendour was departed from the daughter of Zion (Lam 1:6). Those who saw her wept. Their heart was troubled; their bile was poured on the ground because of her destruction (Lam 2:11). How could they comfort the virgin daughter of Zion? Who could heal her? Her prophets saw false and deceptive visions for her; they did not expose her sin. Their prophesies were false and misleading (Lam 2:13,14).

Why, O why was the daughter of Zion, the lovely delicate woman, become so? (Jer 6:2). The CAUSE was her pride. She was haughty. She walked with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking and mincing as she went, making a jingling with her feet (Isa 3:16).

And what a CATASTROPHE fell on her! God’s CURSE came upon her. The Lord struck the crown of the head of the daughter of Zion with sores. He uncovered her secret parts. He took away her finery; the jingling anklets, the scarves and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets and the veils; the headdresses, the leg ornaments and the headbands; the perfume boxes, the charms and the rings, the nose jewels; the festal apparel and the mantles; the outer garments, the purses and the mirrors, the fine linen, the turbans and the robes. Instead of a sweet smell there was a stench, instead of a sash, a rope; instead of a well-set hair, baldness; instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty (Isa 3:16-26). She spread out her hands, but there was no one to comfort her (Lam 1:17). Her lovers deceived her (Lam 1:19).

But God heard her CRY, as of a woman in labour, a groan as of one bearing her first child — the cry of daughter Zion  gasping for breath, stretching out her hands and saying, “Alas! I am fainting; my life is given over to murderers!” (Jer 4:31) Now why do you cry aloud? ... O daughter of Zion ... The Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies (Mic 4:9,10).

So the Lord CLEANED her. When the Lord had washed away the filth of the daughter of Zion, and cleaned the blood stains of Jerusalem from her midst, by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning, then the Lord created over all of Mount Zion, and over those who assemble there, a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night. Over everything the glory will be a canopy. And there was a shelter and shade  from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain (Isa 4:4-6).

Then the Lord gave a COMMAND. Awake , awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments ... shake yourself  from the dust, arise, sit down, O Jerusalem! free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive daughter of Zion! (Isa 52:1-3).

The Lord thus liberated the daughter of Zion. He did not stop with that. He gave her a CALL.

It was a call for prayer: You walls of daugther Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief; your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner. See, O Lord, consider ... women ... children ... priest ... prophet ... young ... old ... virgins ... young men (Lam 2:18-20). Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children (Lk 23:28).

It was a call for worship, for the daughter of Zion to be joyful in her King (Psa 149:2).

It was a call for soulwinnig. Rise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves  of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations (Mic 4:13).

It was a call for suffering in soulwinning. Before she went into labour, she gave birth; before the pains came upon her, she delivered a son ... For as soon as Zion went into labour she gave birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery, says the Lord. Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery, says your God (Isa 66:7,8,9).

It was a call for bold proclamation of the gospel. O Zion, you who bring good news, lift up your voice with a shout lift it up, do not be afraid (Isa 40:9).

What she had lost she had gained. A big CHANGE came over. To the stronghold of the daughter of Zion the former dominion was restored (Mic 4:8). So it was time for the daughter of Zion to  CELEBRATE. She rejoiced because God gave her the former rain faithfully, and promised the latter rain (Joel 2:23). She sang and rejoiced, she was glad and she rejoiced with all her heart. The Lord had taken away her punishment. He had cast out her enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord was with her, she feared no harm (Zeph 3:14,15). The daughter of Zion sang and rejoiced, for her King was coming to live among her (Zech 2:10). She rejoiced greatly and shouted for her just King who was coming to her (Zech 9:9).

The time has come for her to receive a CROWN. Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, see your Saviour is coming; see, His reward is with Him”  (Isa 62:11).

What is YOUR condition today? It is nothing but the catastrophe allowed by God that you may repent. Search your heart and find out the cause for your state. Lift up your heart and cry to Him. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son will cleanse you from all sin. Listen to the command of God. Forsake your past and realise your position in the heavenlies. Hear His call to pray for your people, to worship, to suffer and to proclaim the gospel. A great change will come over you. You will gain what you lost. Celebrate the goodness of the Lord. The day of your crowning is near! Your King is coming soon!

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  •    என் அண்ணா!
      Oct 14, 2024
    நான் இயேசுவின் தம்பி யாக்கோபு. ஏழை குடும்பத்தில், நாசரேத் என்னும் ஊரில் பிறந்த நாங்கள் ஐந்து சகோதரர் மற்றும் சகோதரிகள். more...
  •   இறைவார்த்தையின் வல்லமை!.
      Mar 10, 2024
    நாம் ஜெபிக்கவேண்டும்தான். அனால் இரன்டு காரணங்களுக்காக நாம் சோதிக்கப்படும்படி தேவன் அனுமதிக்கிறார் more...
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      Jan 29, 2024
    அப்பாவின் கவலை தோய்ந்த முகம் பூலோகத்தையே உற்று நோக்கி கொண்டிருந்ததை கவனித்தேன் more...

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  Address for Correspondence Contributions

Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
 +91 9843511943
  lilianstanley@gmail.com

Blessing Youth Mission

Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
 +91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
  hq@bymonline.org
  www.bymonline.org

For Donation & Contributions...

Home & NRE donors

Name: Blessing Youth Mission
Account Type: Current Account
A/c No.: 37268642054
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: Siruthozhil,Vellore - 632 006
IFSC No.: SBIN0007274

Gulf Donors

A/c Name: T.Dickson Daniel Moses
Account Type: Saving Account
A/c No.: 35374362080
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: Siruthozhil,Vellore - 632 006
IFSF: SBIN0007274

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  Blessing Literature Centre

To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address

Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
 +91-44-28450411, 8806270699
  blc@bymonline.org

  Articles (Tamil)

   Updated
  •   என் அண்ணா!
      Oct 14, 2024
    நான் இயேசுவின் தம்பி யாக்கோபு. ஏழை குடும்பத்தில், நாசரேத் என்னும் ஊரில் பிறந்த நாங்கள் ஐந்து சகோதரர் மற்றும் சகோதரிகள். more...
  •   இறைவார்த்தையின் வல்லமை!.
      Mar 10, 2024
    நாம் ஜெபிக்கவேண்டும்தான். அனால் இரன்டு காரணங்களுக்காக நாம் சோதிக்கப்படும்படி தேவன் அனுமதிக்கிறார் more...
  •   நான் குழந்தை இயேசு!.
      Jan 29, 2024
    அப்பாவின் கவலை தோய்ந்த முகம் பூலோகத்தையே உற்று நோக்கி கொண்டிருந்ததை கவனித்தேன் more...

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The Prodigal Daughter

(The story of the daughter of Zion)

 

Once upon a time there was a prodigal daughter. God had showered upon her an abundance of spiritual wealth. But she squandered His grace. Her story is envisaged in the Bible and I have attempted to recapture the story, linking the broken bits together.

The CONDITION of the daughter of Zion was a pathos. She was left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege (Isa 1:8). All the splendour was departed from the daughter of Zion (Lam 1:6). Those who saw her wept. Their heart was troubled; their bile was poured on the ground because of her destruction (Lam 2:11). How could they comfort the virgin daughter of Zion? Who could heal her? Her prophets saw false and deceptive visions for her; they did not expose her sin. Their prophesies were false and misleading (Lam 2:13,14).

Why, O why was the daughter of Zion, the lovely delicate woman, become so? (Jer 6:2). The CAUSE was her pride. She was haughty. She walked with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking and mincing as she went, making a jingling with her feet (Isa 3:16).

And what a CATASTROPHE fell on her! God’s CURSE came upon her. The Lord struck the crown of the head of the daughter of Zion with sores. He uncovered her secret parts. He took away her finery; the jingling anklets, the scarves and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets and the veils; the headdresses, the leg ornaments and the headbands; the perfume boxes, the charms and the rings, the nose jewels; the festal apparel and the mantles; the outer garments, the purses and the mirrors, the fine linen, the turbans and the robes. Instead of a sweet smell there was a stench, instead of a sash, a rope; instead of a well-set hair, baldness; instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty (Isa 3:16-26). She spread out her hands, but there was no one to comfort her (Lam 1:17). Her lovers deceived her (Lam 1:19).

But God heard her CRY, as of a woman in labour, a groan as of one bearing her first child — the cry of daughter Zion  gasping for breath, stretching out her hands and saying, “Alas! I am fainting; my life is given over to murderers!” (Jer 4:31) Now why do you cry aloud? ... O daughter of Zion ... The Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies (Mic 4:9,10).

So the Lord CLEANED her. When the Lord had washed away the filth of the daughter of Zion, and cleaned the blood stains of Jerusalem from her midst, by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning, then the Lord created over all of Mount Zion, and over those who assemble there, a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night. Over everything the glory will be a canopy. And there was a shelter and shade  from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain (Isa 4:4-6).

Then the Lord gave a COMMAND. Awake , awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments ... shake yourself  from the dust, arise, sit down, O Jerusalem! free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive daughter of Zion! (Isa 52:1-3).

The Lord thus liberated the daughter of Zion. He did not stop with that. He gave her a CALL.

It was a call for prayer: You walls of daugther Zion, let your tears flow like a river day and night; give yourself no relief; your eyes no rest. Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner. See, O Lord, consider ... women ... children ... priest ... prophet ... young ... old ... virgins ... young men (Lam 2:18-20). Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children (Lk 23:28).

It was a call for worship, for the daughter of Zion to be joyful in her King (Psa 149:2).

It was a call for soulwinnig. Rise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hooves  of bronze, and you will break to pieces many nations (Mic 4:13).

It was a call for suffering in soulwinning. Before she went into labour, she gave birth; before the pains came upon her, she delivered a son ... For as soon as Zion went into labour she gave birth to her children. Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery, says the Lord. Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery, says your God (Isa 66:7,8,9).

It was a call for bold proclamation of the gospel. O Zion, you who bring good news, lift up your voice with a shout lift it up, do not be afraid (Isa 40:9).

What she had lost she had gained. A big CHANGE came over. To the stronghold of the daughter of Zion the former dominion was restored (Mic 4:8). So it was time for the daughter of Zion to  CELEBRATE. She rejoiced because God gave her the former rain faithfully, and promised the latter rain (Joel 2:23). She sang and rejoiced, she was glad and she rejoiced with all her heart. The Lord had taken away her punishment. He had cast out her enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord was with her, she feared no harm (Zeph 3:14,15). The daughter of Zion sang and rejoiced, for her King was coming to live among her (Zech 2:10). She rejoiced greatly and shouted for her just King who was coming to her (Zech 9:9).

The time has come for her to receive a CROWN. Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: “Say to the daughter of Zion, see your Saviour is coming; see, His reward is with Him”  (Isa 62:11).

What is YOUR condition today? It is nothing but the catastrophe allowed by God that you may repent. Search your heart and find out the cause for your state. Lift up your heart and cry to Him. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son will cleanse you from all sin. Listen to the command of God. Forsake your past and realise your position in the heavenlies. Hear His call to pray for your people, to worship, to suffer and to proclaim the gospel. A great change will come over you. You will gain what you lost. Celebrate the goodness of the Lord. The day of your crowning is near! Your King is coming soon!

  Address for Correspondence Contributions

Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
 +91 9843511943
  lilianstanley@gmail.com

Blessing Youth Mission

Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
 +91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
  hq@bymonline.org
  www.bymonline.org

For Donation & Contributions...

Home & NRE donors

Name: Blessing Youth Mission
Account Type: Current Account
A/c No.: 37268642054
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: Siruthozhil,Vellore - 632 006
IFSC No.: SBIN0007274

Gulf Donors

A/c Name: T.Dickson Daniel Moses
Account Type: Saving Account
A/c No.: 35374362080
Bank: State Bank of India
Branch: Siruthozhil,Vellore - 632 006
IFSF: SBIN0007274

Click here for more options

  Blessing Literature Centre

To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address

Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
 +91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
  blc@bymonline.org