Scripture Reading: Isaiah 26:1-21, Lamentations 3:19-24, Revelation 4:9-11
I’m fascinated by what a skilled potter can do. The way they work the clay is mesmerizing—seeing a lump on a spinning wheel transformed into an intricate piece of art or a useful tool requires strength, imagination, and skill. Yet still, even some of the most beautiful ceramics break. I’ll admit that though I have fumbled and destroyed more than a couple vases in our house, I’ve chipped even more cereal bowls. Instead of lamenting the flaws, there’s a Japanese art form which takes the broken pieces and highlights the brokenness, turning it to beauty. It’s called kintsugi: gold and other precious metals are used to bind the fractured pieces back together and make the piece whole again and make it even more beautiful than before.
I love that idea, one where a restoration process goes beyond just mending what’s broken to creating something new and even more precious. This is the picture I had in my head as I was reading the Song of Judah, worship straight from the prophet about celebrating the Lord’s ultimate plan of what will come on the day of judgment.
This song moves between a time of future celebration and the current situation God’s people find themselves in. There is definite praise for the solid foundation we have in the Lord, “an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4), but also warnings for those who “live in lofty places” because “he brings it down to the ground” (v.5).
There’s praise for God giving victory over Israel’s victories, and there are warnings for those who don’t have the same zeal for Him—Isaiah sings, “Let fire consume your adversaries” (v.11). This chapter is full of beautiful imagery, full of symbols of God’s strength and reminders of His promises. This chapter is a proclamation that despite trials and challenges, God doesn’t move, and His love and justice is unfailing.
I hope we can all hear this as a song in our own hearts—a prophetic vision for a time when God’s people, all of us today even, would respond to the day of final restoration with worship. Though sometimes we may feel like broken pottery, chipped from daily use or completely apart like a smashed vase, this song can remind us that there’s beauty in God’s process. Though we may focus on a blemish or fixate on the cracks, when God puts the pieces of our lives together, He does it with the blood of Jesus! One day, when restoration is fully realized, we’ll sing our own version of this song while restored and whole.
With the Holy Spirit indwelling the heart of every believer, we can embrace the hope and security that comes from salvation. In Christ, we don’t have to worry about the consequences of a punishment that’s not coming. And maybe we could let the broken pieces of our life be held together beautifully, bound by not just gold, but the glory of God and blood of His Son.
Written by Canaan Chapman
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109 thoughts on "The Song of Judah"
I love the idea of taking something broken and mending it to become something even more precious than before. Thank you God that you help me learn through my experiences, you mend and restore and that I can be even more useful to you after my trials and tribulations! Amen x
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Beautiful devotional!
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Thank you God for your unfailing love!❤️
Praying for you all today ❤️
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There is beauty in God’s process. May He open my eyes to see his hand in all that is happening in this world, and may that perspective give me peace.
I was looking at my daughters today and wishing that I can be as young, carefree and innocent as them. I feel scarred and tainted by the world I have lived in. After this reading, God was reminding me that he doesn’t see me that way. He is making me into the person he has always planned I would be.
My daughter, Amanda, starts a new type of chemotherapy tomorrow. The doctors say it should have fewer side effects than the one she just finished. Please pray they’re right about that and it goes well, and leads to complete healing. She will have 12 weeks of treatments. I have faith God will heal her of cancer. But I have to admit that this is a really long road. After chemo, she will have more surgery, and then radiation. I appreciate all your prayers.
Keeping your daughter in our prayers! As a mom you must have fear- But God…we know we can trust Him!
Will be praying and will continue to lift your daughter in prayers, as I will you too dear Teresa..
God bless you both..❤️
Praying for your daughter, Amanda. And for you as well, Teresa. ❤️
Keeping her (and you) in prayer.
Praying for Amanda!
The thought that all the broken pieces and cracks of my life are being held together by the beautiful blood of Jesus, more precious than gold, is truly uplifting today. ❤️
3 You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, because in the Lord, the Lord himself, is an everlasting rock!
God has been placing the thought of His “peace” on my mind a lot these last few days, and in many ways, it’s been related to our upcoming move.
But today it is also related to a family member that I, in all honesty, have a very hard time getting along with. They are controlling and can be a bully, and I’m just so sick of it. Today, this person did something again that upset me, and I went back to my normal response of being angry and muttering frustrations. But God convicted me. He reminded me that I also am far from perfect, and that being hateful is doing absolutely no good. I pray that I can focus my mind on God and not on the things of this world. I pray I can remember we all are broken and need a savior! Praise God for the Holy Spirit who leads and guides!
I know your move is your priority right now, and it isn’t always as peaceful as you would like it to be. I also am sorry for the struggles with your family member. As a friend once told me (when I was sharing my MANY MIL woes)…. Don’t take offense where none was intended. My MIL is a very self-absorbed person and doesn’t realize how her words can often offend. It helps me to remember my dear friend’s “advice”.
Yes, I love this advice.
I felt like I had a little Holy Spirit moment this afternoon reading our study today! I normally sing to get my baby down for a nap, and I decided I would go ahead and sing the Bible reading for today (completely without looking at the title The Song of Judah). I go on to the devotional to read it is indeed a passage might to be sung, wow God moment. Somewhat a small thing, but still gave me a few chills when I realized that! Have a great day She’s, great discussion comments as always!
That’s so cool!
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¨On that day…¨ they are looking ahead at what will be. They aren´t looking at what is now, but the promises of what will be. It reminds me of when I was in the thralls of labor with one of my kids… looking at the clock and thinking ¨at this time tomorrow, this will all be over¨. Being able to know that one way or another this pain will end, I was able to keep going in the moment. That´s how we get through the tough times in life. Knowing that one day this will all be over, and we will be rejoicing in ALL the promises of God, keeps us moving forward through the tough seasons. NO matter what you are enduring today, there will be a day when it´s done. You will be free from the pain and sorrow and struggle of it all. What a glorious promise to grasp on to!
Yes, Oh Glorious Day!!
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I love this one ❤️ let us be put together by Jesus. Let us remember God’s mercies are new everyday also.
Thank You Jesus for the Blood applied! ❤️
Isaiah 26:3 and Lamentations 3:22-23 have been verses that I have claimed need to throughout my life! As a young mom and our finances were very tight, losing my mom and dad a year apart, have bag fibromyalgia, and other struggles that we all go through in our lives! It was so sweet to read them this morning as I was struggling with my broken wrist and having to ask my hubby to help me with something so simple as taking a lid off the lemon juice bottle! It just spoke to my heart and encouraged me! I shouldn’t be surprised that my Heavenly Father knows just what I need! He is such a good Father!
I know if He sees me with my small struggle that He is watching over all of you with your bigger troubles! Take heart my sisters, God’s eye is on you and He walks with you!
Loved all of your comments! They touched my heart.
Praying for all! Have a blessed day!
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playing catch up, sisters. Woke up in the wee hours yesterday with this hymn on my mind, Living By Faith (James Wells & R. E. Winsett (vs 4), 1918). Well known to me though not thought of in many years, decades probably – yet fits in so well with life these days. God is with us so let’s keep on keeping on, living by faith in thankfulness and praise to Him.
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Thank you, CAROL J MYLIN, RHONDA J, FOSTER MAMA, CEE GEE, MARTHA HIX, TINA AND VICTORIA E for the love notes on Saturday ❤
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MICHELLE P – good to see you, little sis! I’m with you on the speed of this and most of our studies as it can be more than I can process in the available time. But … this community is awesome so I do the best I can time wise. I tried other devos/studies prior to SRT and dropped them within weeks or at most a few months . . . coming up on 8 years here. Praying for life’s changes and that you will be here when you can. love you ❤
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LYNNE FROM AL – continuing to pray, sister, as you grieve and work on the many things needed.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for ministry guidance and lifted spirits for you and Jeff, and for wisdom and financial guidance in Jonathan’s situation. ❤
SAM D – reading through judgments helps understand (and appreciate) blessings. Thank you.
R – praying!! For both of you as you work to help your husband in his recovery, that he would realize it’s a process for him. Any relief/help available through home health services?
MERCY – thanks for excerpt ‘pay close attention to your own heart.’
TRACI GENDRON – praying for full recovery
CEE GEE – another song, thanks! (Jesus We Love You)
CAROL J MYLIN – thank you for letting us know about Danielle’s surgery yesterday. Praying for her recovery.
CHRISTY – praying as you start and settle in to new job
MEAGAN C – praying for wisdom and guidance as you and your husband consider the house he found. Pros & cons list maybe, with realistic estimates of time, cost and required skills for work needed? Praying you’ll both have peace in the decision.
SARAH M – praying as you walk through this hard season
GRATEFUL BELIEVER – praying for you and your family as you reenter the out of home workforce, as responsibilities shift.
TINA – Step by Step, one of my faves! ❤
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BG verse today, Rom 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You were missed yesterday :) happy to see you back sister ❤️
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Thank you, Searching . ❤️❤️❤️ Gods blessings and grace to you, sis!!!
As Wendy B sajd, so many beautiful and favorite verses! Great devo!
Thinking of Jesus’ blood filling the cracks of separation from God ( caused by sin and disobedience) strengthens my heart and resolve to do better, walk more closely with Him.
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Isaiah 26 NLT
7 But for those who are righteous,
the way is not steep and rough.
You are a God who does what is right,
and you smooth out the path ahead of them.
8 Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.
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Worthy of It All (partial lyrics)
All the saints and angels
Bow before your throne
All the elders cast their crowns before the Lamb of God
And sing
You are worthy of it all
You are worthy of it all
For from You are all things
And to You are all things
You deserve the glory
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Sing with JOY in honoring Him, sisters.
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Love, hugs, and prayers, sweet Shes! ❤
We sang Worthy of it All last week at jail minitstry…it was beautiful! It blesses me so much to praise in that little room together!
❤ That’s so cool! We sing 1 or 2 old hymns at lifegroup each week. The voices circling the living room is so beautful
He is so worthy of it all.
Amen❤️
❤ Amen, Tina!
…the broken pieces of our life be held together beautifully…” It’s all My JESUS! Even when its scary or uncomfortable or simply just hard! I love how our God works and brings just what we need as this devo this morning. I’m going to forward it to both my kiddos. Last night as my daughter was heading to her Monday night Bible study, she texted that her dad had just passed by. Because of the DV restraining order I have to report it. Surprisingly they came withing the hour. Took my report. Spoke to my son and the officer asked to talk to my daughter and went to where she was at her bible study. When she came home (late) we stayed up even longer talking. I’m exhausted! Please pray for her (Alyssa) as this effects her as well. And she has so much homework. Pray for her heart as well Thank you sweet She’s! Happy Tuesday!
Mari V – I’m praying for your family. My nieces were is a similar situation and it was frightening when their ex-step dad would drive by even though there was a restraining order.
Prayers for her tender heart in the hard. And your son! And your mother’s heart to protect!
Praying for your young ‘un hearts.. Mari..❤️
Hey Shes
If someone wants to call me a “crack pot”
let it be for the love of Christ!!
Chipped but not discarded.
Pock marred but still precious.
I surrender all to the Master Potter.
Ain’t nothing He can’t fix.
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Love this ❤️
Praying life is being kind to you, GRAMSIESUE ❤️❤️
Perfect! You have such a gift with words. I always enjoy your holy poetry.
Indeed! Gwineth is the best at “holy poetry!”
❤️. Truth..
Love it! That was the phrase back in the day, lol.
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I love it! God is restoring us… Not just with gold and silver, but the blood of His only son! I also love what Isaiah points out in one verse he says WHILE YOUR CHASTENING was upon them, they sought you! There was a remnant in Israel who knew that Gid was faithful even in His judgment! I love it!
I have heard of kintsugi a few times in relation to our lives and how the Lord fills the cracks to bring further beauty and it’s always such a beautiful reminder.
Some of today’s verses in Isa and then Lam are among my favorites and beautiful passages to take into our day. The Lord is our victory. Our peace, righteousness, strength, restorer, hope, merciful, bringing beauty from ashes, making something from nothing, molding in His image, a faithful hope and love without end.
Thank you, Lord for the truth and promises of your Word that lift and encourage our hearts each day. Make us like you, Lord. May may we rest in you, have joy in your unfailing love and use us to be a reflection of who you are in a way that impacts and changes the hearts and lives of others. Amen✝️
Yes, years ago, the SRT cover art was all based kintsugi and it was the first time I’d realized that the art pieces I saw with gold lines had previously been broken….very moving!
A few months ago, I finished reading Lysa TerKuerst’s book “It’s Not Supposed to be This Way”…and the references to pottery were the deepest I’ve read yet in my life!!
Oh I might have to add that book to my long list of “to read!”
Amen. ✝️
Wendy – your prayers are always meaningful to me. Thank you for sharing them
Woooo, Amen!! So good!! It describes what I felt like that moment everything fell apart and I hit my knees. And it was then that the Lord brought fresh light, removed the scales of my eyes, of the last decade of how foolishly I had been living my life- the facade of living large was actually a huge mess of me trying to live my way, and not following the Lord. This is okay if you didn’t know the Lord, but when you profess you love the Lord, but your life is doing the opposite…well, I was an Israelite. I had shattered pieces of my own destruction. I can see it so easily now. BUT Jesus, through him, he can put all those pieces back together, with His blood nonetheless. What a beautiful and real illustration. And they didn’t just magically get there. As I said, I am an Israelite, miracle/complain, miracle/forget, pick me up/ go back to my way…over and over again. But at some point…I realized what a realationship with Jesus is, rather than a religion and going to church. It was a slow process of wanting to be with the Lord, in my bible and prayer, time with him. And over time, he has made some beautiful potter with my story.
So if you are still struggling, and thinking am I ever going to get it right. Don’t beat yourself up- keep spending time with God, reading his word. Isaiah is not the easiest, yet it is a stunning account of a God that loves his people, yearning for them to love him, and know that love so strong and unwavering. Yet he knew we needed a savior that could be our intercessor, the shepherd, the restorer, the blood. He has not given up on you. You are not beyond his reach or his love. You are his precious daughter, as am I.
Come as you are, broken and downtrodden, humble and searching- and he will heal you. He will make something special with your story. He will turn your tests to testimonies!! He will use YOU to tell ones that need to hear your challenges today tomorrow. This so sweet to trust in Jesus..we sang this song many, many a time growing up.
1 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise,
and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to trust his cleansing blood;
and in simple faith to plunge me
neath the healing, cleansing flood! [Refrain]
3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
just from sin and self to cease;
just from Jesus simply taking
life and rest, and joy and peace. [Refrain]
Have a blessed day.
Beautiful encouragement, Rhonda ❤️
I was thinking of that song last week l ❤
RHONDA, I kept highlighted lines of what you wrote to include here but too many things in what you wrote touched me and resonated so much!! Thank you sweet sister.
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Fine, FINE!! Here’s one “This is okay if you didn’t know the Lord, but when you profess you love the Lord, but your life is doing the opposite”
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Certainly “He will turn your tests to testimonies!!”
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I can certainly relate to finally recognizing my own pattern in that of the Israelites….Oh, I pray that His beautiful handprints all over my life give me such a desire for Him that I would not be so easily moved / distracted / forgetful / lazy / arrogant / …(How much time do you have to see my list?)…/ etc…
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Thank you for sharing! Have a blessed day.
I am so glad they resonated with you sweet Foster Mama!! I often think “why do I prattle on” but then we all get so much from the comments…and if no one shared there’s nothing to read!
Sweet song ❤️
Thank you Rhonda. Your words were what I needed to hear today
I’m so glad…I think of you often, and now your daughter. Hugs
❤️. Beautiful Rhonda.. beautiful!❤️
His mercies are new each morning! Love the pivot in Lamentations 3:21 “YET I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends.” What beautiful truth to settle in our hearts today. Amen!
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He turns our ashes into beauty and our mistakes into messages of hope and restoration.
Before February, I had never heard of the Japanese term kintsugi, but since then, it has come up three or four times. I had never considered how this concept might apply to our lives as Christians—how Jesus mends our broken pieces and seals them with His blood. It’s such a beautiful image of our lives now and the wholeness we will experience when He returns.
Amen! May He turn my brokenness and my husband’s brokenness into something beautiful.
He will! He said it so I believe it!
“Though sometimes we may feel like broken pottery, chipped from daily use or completely apart like a smashed vase, this song can remind us that there’s beauty in God’s process.” There is beauty in the process, there is purpose in the pain.
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Father God, may you still my heart, quiet my thoughts and let them fall on your presence and your promises. For it is you alone that makes everything beautiful in it’s time. Do not let Satan cloud my thinking -do not let me listen to his lies. Speak your truth to my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Thank you sweet sisters for your prayers – I feel them. ❤️
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Continuing to write down and pray for your requests. ❤️
Beautiful SHARON, JG… Thank you
You are the potter I am the clay, mold me and make me, this is what I pray….Lord God, put the pieces of my life together with the blood of Christ, then mold me and make me, this is what I pray.
Amen! ❤️
Amen
Well put, Kimberly!
While shattered, He secures & seals us with the Blood.
Beautiful teaching today ❤️ Amen for The Lord’s faithful love and never ending mercies.
Yes and Amen
I’m grateful for the timing of this call to dependent peace, to trusting in His everlasting strength, to the hope we have in His steadfast love.
Thank You, Lord, for Your permanent, never-ceasing, faithful love and mercy. Thank You for being our good portion.
“the timing of this call to dependent peace”
“our good portion”
Love your imagery, dear Lindsey!
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Father God reward my faith, forgive my doubt! I long for Your perfect peace. In Jesus name, Amen
“In Christ we don’t have to worry about the consequences of a punishment that is not coming.” I needed to hear this today.
Yes amen
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Well said, Canaan Chapman! Thank you.
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“Lord, you will establish peace for us,
for you have also done all our work for us.”
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The Lord has indeed done all the work of establishing our peace through Jesus’death and resurrection.
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GRATEFUL BELIEVER – praying your first day of work went well. Praying for your family’s adjustment goes smoothly too.
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MEAGAN C – praying the Lord’s peace and wisdom floods your soul.
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TRACI GENDRON – praying for a full recovery for yoy.
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R – praying for patience for you and your husband.
Amen!
This was beautiful. Amen.
I LOVE this devotional this morning! It is so uplifting and filled with assurance!
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Thank you, CANAAN CHAPMAN!
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You know the art of renewal known as KINTSUGI, is my thing!
Every day, I feel the blood of Jesus in the cracks of my life, changing me, renewing and for sure, I pray, into something, someone resembling a follower and a believer of, and a lover of Jesus.!
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I remember the days of old, I remember my trials and tribulations, I remember the Rocky road I’ve been on..
I remember..
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BUT GOD
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Yet Hope returns when I remember this one thing:
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The LORD’s unfailing love and mercy still continues,
Filling the cracks, rubbing out the wrongs, and giving me new hope,
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Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise,
Like a fresh and new canvas, and wonderful paints to start over..
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The LORD IS ALL I have, and so in Him I put my hope..
Where else would I go, but to Him who gave me breathe, who gave me life, who created me.. And who loves, loves, loves me well and ‘fixes me to a more beautiful version each time by the blood and grace of His Son, my Saviour, Jesus Christ..
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BUT GOD..
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Forever thankful that when I was lost, and in a dark place, He found me, gave me a home, called me His and called me by name, and gave me His Holy Spirit live in me, filling me with Hope, each day..
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Thank you Father God, Thank you..❤
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Go in Peace and joy, sisters knowing our Father God has us covered.
Love, hugs and prayers for your day to be as beautiful as you are..❤❤❤❤
Agree wholeheartedly, Tina❣️
Amen!
Amen❤️
Yes and Amen to everything you said Tina! ❤️
Yes, Tina.
His work, His will, without end!
Amen! ❤
Amen Tina! Thank you for your beautiful words.
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I was so challenged this morning by verse 3: “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect pease, for it is trusting in you”.
I of course know in my head that I need to trust God but this verse really brought home to be that the turmoil I feel inside and the lack of peace I feel in my heart is because I am trying to sort everything out myself, trying to pull all the strings, trying to make everything work. I pray this morning for a heart and posture of dependence on our Everlasting Rock. For letting go and trusting that He is good and is over all things.
How beautiful to think that “we will sing our own version of this song when restored and whole”. May we keep our eyes on that day.
I agree Ali. It is hard to take responsibility for our own sin of lack of trust. But God brings light to our sin so we can confess it and He can forgive it. God forgive me for lacking trust in You and spinning in my own mind with all the problems!
amen!
Ali, your struggle to work everything out on your own and your prayer for a heart and posture of dependence resonated deeply with me. I, too, struggle to cling to His peace. Thanks for sharing. I’ll be praying this with and for you.
Amen!
Amen! ❤️
Thanks for pointing out that verse. Sometimes I don’t “see” some verses on the first read. What a great reminder.
It is soooo hard to remember the strings are not ours to pull, isn’t it? I need to remember this just about daily. ❤️