Is.
43:8-19 – Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a
new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the
desert and streams in the waste land.
A new
thing! Not only do I see God moving in new ways in my life, but I also see it
in the lives of people around me. Whether it’s coming out of the wilderness,
seeing that long awaited prayer answered, or being given new eyes to see God in
a new way… It is very clear that God IS doing a new thing. Each of us, in our
various situations, are on the same journey. Yet, each of us, also has our own
daily “crosses” that we must carry. No matter what fears may assault us as we
all begin our “new” things, don’t ever forget that we walk in victory beside
Jesus!
Is. 43:15 - I am the Lord,
your Holy One, Israel’s creator, your King.
·
This got my attention. The next verse I was
supposed to go to was Is. 42:15…by the time I realized I was in chapter 43, I
had already highlighted and dated my Bible! So, from here on out, I continued
my Bible walk with EYES AND HEART WIDE OPEN. In my heart, I felt like he was
speaking. Not only for me, but for the people that I try to encourage.
I AM THE LORD, YOUR HOLY ONE, ISRAEL’S CREATOR, YOUR KING…..
I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their
vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead
the blind by ways they have not known, alone unfamiliar paths I will guide
them; I will turn the darkness into light for them; and make the rough places
smooth. These are the things I will do.
(Is. 42: 15-17)
·
For me, personally, it is an answered prayer
about your journey into the college seeking. This happens to be where I am “in
this journey.” However, there are many, many people I pray for that when I read
this verse it gives me confirmation that HE has our backs….HE will guide you
when you don’t know the way….HE will guide that prodigal even if the prodigal
does not acknowledge His guidance. TRUST GOD!
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I
declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. (Is. 42:9)
·
God’s Holy Word telling me that He will guide
me. I just have to keep my eyes on HIM. I can’t be looking at the past. I can’t
be running ahead of Him in the future. As the Israelites were guided by the
cloud and the fire, as long as I stay focused on Jesus, I will see His guidance
through His Holy Spirit that lives inside of me.
“However, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when men
will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the Israelites up
out of Egypt,’ but they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives,
who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of
all the countries he had banished them.’ For
I will restore them to the land I gave your forefathers.” (Is. 42:9)
·
I pray for a LOT of prodigals through the web
site. So as I looked closer into this verse, it occurred to me that for some
people that I pray for, these “new beginnings” (new things) that are coming
will be restoration. Going back to the verse, “out of Egypt” is the EXODUS. The
people fled, the marriage died, whatever type of exodus there was in someone’s
life. Then, look at “land of the north”. The land of the north they are talking
about here is Babylon. And Babylon in the Bible is where the Israelites ended
up when they took their eyes off of God and ended up in captivity for those 700
years! When the Israelites were in Babylon, they were considered EXILES because
the were not LIVING IN THEIR HOMELAND. So, for all those I pray for, I say,
hang in there. Because this next foretelling is the icing on the cake….I WILL
RESTORE THEM…..RESTORATION…First it will be our personal restoration with HIM,
and then, we are prepared to see the restoration of our families!
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything
new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.
(Rev. 21:5)
·
So, since He had my undivided attention at the
first verse of this walk, I am trying to be obedient and “write this down.” For
whatever reason.
A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the
Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our god. Every valley shall
be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground will become
level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed;
and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
(Is. 40:3-4)
·
How do I make a highway for God? I get myself
out of the way! I cast my concerns, my what ifs, my worries at the cross. As it
pertains to my prayers of today, God is saying, “you’re worries and frets about
the future are hindrances in the path for me to work.” TRUST GOD. However, when
I was going through the separation, God gave me this verse as in reference to
the restoration of my marriage. He told me then, as He’s telling me today, to
get myself out of the way. Keep my eyes focused on Jesus. Keep my eyes focused
on TODAY. TRUST GOD!
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those
who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying
seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. (Ps.
126: 4-6)
·
“Fortunes” doesn’t necessarily have to do with a
monetary thing. Just think about what’s important in your heart. But also
remember that a stream is of constant motion. There is a source in, and there
is a place out. There are many who are hurting so bad that they are paralyzed
by the depth of the hurt. When we are at these times, we need to carry the
“right” seed to sow. The negative weeds in our minds can cloud our motives.
When there is weeping, learn how to sow the seed thoughts of God…think of His
blessings…there is ALWAYS a blessing in your life…Thank Him! Praise Him! Reach
out to others who have needs, because when you do, you are acting on the LOVE
of God. And he says that when we sow these God seeds, we will return with songs
of joy, carrying sheaves.” And I found it interesting that when I looked up
“sheaves” it means something bound.
There, the Lord will be our Mighty One. It will be like a
place of broad rivers and streams. No galley with oars will ride them, no might
ship will sail them. For the Lord is our judge, The Lord is our lawgiver, the
Lord is our King; It is He who will save us. (is. 33:31)
·
“There” is Zion. The restored Israel and HE will
be our Mighty One. When we get to our restored places, we can’t take our eyes
off of Him. HE is the very reason for the restoration! The “broad rivers and
streams” represent safety and security. The word picture is that they are so
wide that no boat can cross it, and no ship can sail it! “The Lord is our
Judge” in that we are accountable to HIM alone. We play to an audience of ONE.
And He judges our hearts! Who we are is much more important than what we do,
although what we do is a reflection of who we are! “The Lord is our lawgiver.”
He has given us His Written Word to be our roadmap for this life. Every
situation we will encounter is outlined in the Bible. HE enlightens our hearts
to know how He wants us to live. “The Lord is our King.” He is our leader, and
our example. “It is He who will save us.” Easily summed up….TRUST GOD!
Many couples have reached a point in their marriage where they may currently perceive the union that was once considered magical… as a total waste land. Troubled pasts of one or both in the union may have entangled you both in a state of wrath, hurt and un-forgiveness. Your own or your spouse’s past sins or faults have “blinded” you. Your ability to see how God can work to create streams where there was once drought or even in the midst of a drought has been depleted by your inability to dismiss the past. Perhaps your future together or even apart seems bleak at best. You must forget former ways--- both in your actions and the actions of your loved one before you can walk an unhampered pathway (even while meandering in the desert or wilderness). Regardless of your “geography,” when you let go and keep your eyes on God He has the ability to change your perception. Soon you and your spouse may begin to see a tropical paradise amongst the desert sands that was once your waste land.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog thank you! It's a victory walk with Jesus and a gentle reminder that we need to walk step by step with Jesus. Not to run ahead but walk with him going forward in faith with each step.
ReplyDeleteThe scripture is a message of hope to hang on to Gods promises. The wilderness is temporary and the restoration permanent.
It's all about Jesus keeping our eyes fixed on HIM and learning to embrace what he has for us and learning to be content in each situation knowing that what God has in store for our marriages and our lives is far more than we can think, ask or imagine.
Vinj thank you for the reminder and encouraging words on the blog. I look forward to enjoying reading many more and walking each victory step with you and Jesus!