I've known since early Monday morning what I planned to share today. I was reading my daily Bible, disappointed in myself for falling a few days behind (I was then reading the passages for Friday, 9/26). That morning found me in Isaiah 43. As my eyes fell upon this portion, these words seemed to be highlighted-in-neon, bold print and underscored:"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 wasteland."
I read this phrase over and over. I finished my quiet time encouraged and at peace, thinking in God's perfect timing, I was intended to read that on Monday. I say that because in the hours before bed on Sunday, I was praying about something I’ve prayed over for years. It was one of those moments I just felt so weary, deep within my heart. I suspect you've been there too. You pray about something for so long, yet see no evidence of change. And though you haven't "given up," you sometimes surrender to the discouragement. Tears falling, heart aching...I was there.
Had any doubt remained that God intended that truth for me on Monday, it disappeared soon after I arrived at work. As I began checking e-mail, a devotional message I receive regularly arrived. (You're probably smiling now, knowing where this is going...) Bet you can guess what scripture was the basis for that devotional message...yep. Then, later that same morning (because God knows I sometimes need a virtual 2 x 4 to the forehead), I received a message from a friend, quoting yes, this same scripture! Wow! Got it, Lord! You can bet this week, I'm praying with renewed purpose and excitement about this long-standing desire of my heart. Thank you sweet Father, for this undeniable encouragement from your Word. I praise you that you love us enough to show us these glimpses when our faith begins to wane.
Where does this find you? Is there something that's burdened your heart far too long? Are you discouraged and hurting today, looking with human eyes at what seems like a hopeless situation? I pray as you read and ponder this promise from our Lord, you too will be encouraged. Keep trusting, believing and resting in Him. He is able, but even more importantly, He is faithful.
27 comments:
Beautiful verse and a great reminder to all of us!
Leave the past behind - our God is ever present. I have been writing about these things on my Monday Morning Reflections - come join me.
Today if you will hear His small voice - it is there where the Holy Spirit is ready to guide you, comfort you and be our all in all!
Blessings,
Jill
Tracy,
I love this verse in Isaiah. What a beautiful illustration! Blessings to you today sweet sister.
Hallelujah! What a blessed promise.
Such encouragement - thank you so much for the spirit lifting words! (I loved your comment 'virtual 2x4 to the forehead' :):)) Happy WFW to you today Tracy!
I love this, Tracy! Such a wonderful reminder to us all that just because we don't receive an immediate response from God doesn't mean He's forgotton or that He isn't working on it.
I'm with you on the 2x4 to the forehead... I tend to be that way, too! :) Thank goodness God is patient!!
Sometimes a 2x4 is not big enough for me. I need a 6x6. Thanks for you sharing your words today, Tracy!
Oh, Tracy, I loved your post! It's beautiful and heartfelt. I love it when God has His handprints on our lives like that, just pressing and pressing a verse or passage...such comfort! Happy WFW!
Tracy
These words were just what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing and I am so glad that our precious Lord spoke to you so clearly and laid it on your heart to share with all of us!
My heart is burdened this week for a loved one... I have been burdened for a while for her, but really sense an urgency in my spirit this week that I have not been able to shake... thanks so for your encouragement.
Blessings!
thank you for that vivid reminder that we are not walking this journey alone. It is, at times, easy to just give up on something you've been praying for ever so long with no end in sight. Little by little you just stop! Thank you for this nugget of truth! I am holding onto it for dear life!
Bless you for sharing this.
This was a verse I really needed to hear today, thank you. The graphic fits the verse perfectly too, beautiful!
Thank you, Tracy, for this scripture and for the reminder of God speaking to us and encouraging us when we most need it. I felt your pain and wondered what your longing is. For you see, I too have a deep longing. Something I am believing my Lord to do. It too seems totally impossible. But I know that He raised a dead man so He too can raise a dead marriage, a marriage long seen divorce, a Christian man deep in bitterness and anger, His child running from Him and not knowing it. For I know that as much as I long for reconciliation with my beloved I know the Most High longs for His child to be fully restored to Him and to understanding what call God has on his life.
Thank you for this bit of encouragement. As you can imagine, it's been a long 15 1/2 months of wondering and waiting. Wanting to know what God is going to do. Knowing what His will to be in this situation of unbiblical divorce but knowing He also gives us free will to go down our own selfish paths. I hear and know your frustration and disappointment, the longing of wanting an answer from the Almighty.
He does indeed "make a way where there seems to be no way." This scripture reminds me of a song with that line in it.
Blessings,
Paula
Oh Tracy,
Thanks so MUCH for sharing this incredible word. I just love the way God used it to minister to you.
It's OK you recieved it twice, a true CONFIRMATION of what He was saying.
Oh, to think He can truly make a way in our deserts and give us streams in our wastelands!
What a MIGHTY, FAITHFUL, LOVING God we serve!!
I'm so blessed you were encouraged by this precious promise! I sure was~
Blessings to you my friend♥
Your post spoke to me in a HUGE 2x4 to the forehead way today. I'm not sure what else I have to say, except now I need to go dwell on what is going on in my head. Thanks much for sharing - and for your honesty!!
Beautiful...and a lovely reminder!
Happy WFW!
Wow Tracy!
Reading this gave me a kitchen aide mixer warm fuzzy moment!
I too had that horrible, icky heavy weight on me the last couple days and even things I was reading that were supposed to lift and encourage beat me down.
But God knows exactly what we need and how to get our attention. I am trusting, believing and resting in Him as well.
Thankyou!
Lea
Yes, you certainly can print it out! Blessings to you this weekend!
thank for this post today! i definitely could use it today!
What a beautiful illustration. I love this verse. Thank you for sharing.
Oh what a lovely illustration of God's word. Thank you too for the testimony. Thanks for sharing with us.
Many Blessings,
Sherry
Tracy,
Doesn't it just give you chills? He gives us what we need, when we need it. How awesome!
Hope all is well. I have something to share with you, but will send it in email!
Praying you and Tom are adjusting! God will provide what you need, I know you know that. Changes are so hard at times. You are in my thoughts and prayers my dear friend, even when I'm a bit absent and slow in this bloggy world.
Love,
Cheryl
Interesting, just last Friday I wrote a post entitled 'Reflective' in which I used that same verse.
God is doing new things in us all the time. I'm glad I found your blog today. Just another reminder to keep my focus on His plan and not mine.
Blessings, Cindy
Hey friend,
That verse is one of my ALL TIME favorite verses.
Papa speaks that verse to me over and over again.
New things are springing up all around us...it just takes a while, sometimes for our eyes to adjust to see.
Thanks for sharing your heart!
Hugs,
Julie
Been there lately, but my perspective about my specific prayers is changing. I think it is a very good thing.
Wonderful thoughts, friend.
peace~elaine
You must be reading the one year Bible...I have been behind too, and notice that there are appropriate messages for each day. I love how God uses everything for good for us who love Him!
sweet blog!
I love that promise..and the photo.
Blessings Tracy...I think I have to go back this far with you to catch up, I remember reading this but did not see a comment from me so it must be when my trouble started.
This was the perfect photo for this verse as we wait for streams in the wasteland as we leave the desert behind...and those former things.
God works that way for me also, not once but again & again...do you get it yet? There are so many prayers I feel I have been praying for so many years and I don't see any evidence...like my husband's salvation, looks like so many times it's close and then wham...I'm awakened by a comment he makes that he does not believe he has to change and you are so right, we get so weary and ready to give up, discouragement fueled by tears & heart aches...I try not to think on it but pray ahead like pay ahead!
This gives new hope & definitely as you put it an undeniable encouragement from God's Word! I would love to see the new thing God is doing but faith is the hope in things unseen. Had you not asked these questions I would not have thought about this & I'd still be praying but now it's like a have a new spring flowing with belief in what I'm praying will not return void but be done in His Time & perhaps is being changed without my knowledge of it! So I will trust, believe & rest! I know HE is faithful! Thanks Tracy for the life tip that springs forth from this verse!
Post a Comment