Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you. Isaiah 43:1-2 CSBForget what happened in the past,
and do not dwell on events from long ago.
19 I am going to do something new.
It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?
I will clear a way in the desert.
I will make rivers on dry land. Isaiah 43:18-19 GWT
It’s too easy to stay in a rut or routine. We humans like our familiar turf, our comfy zones. Even when those welcoming places are not where we should be.
Change takes us out of those known and well-loved hiding places of same-ol’-same ol’ living. And we do not like change. It ruffles our feathers. Forces us to step into the unknown. We have no control of what may happen in the next moment.
So, we choose to stay stuck, even though under our breath we mumble and complain about the circumstances. Let’s face it, it is so tempting to just ignore the misery, because at least we know what it feels like. We’ve adapted to the dysfunction and it has become our norm.
Perhaps you ventured to cry out to GOD this day … begging for a newness in your day. And He whispered into your spirit, “Are you willing to go?”
Maybe you woke up sick and tired of having settled into your circumstances. You vaguely recall hearing that GOD’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Memories of a past sermon that told you He would never leave you or forget you (Hebrews 13:5) suddenly come to mind. Could this be a turning point?
The very moment hope rises up, doubt is close behind in the background ready to snuff out your expectations. Did GOD really say …
You are not alone to think these thoughts, Sweet Friend. And you certainly will not walk through your journey alone.
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT
I love this song of transparency and vulnerability. Kind of reminds me of king David in his writings of the Psalms. A plea for help, admitting the need for GOD’s intervention, and a trusting hope and confidence in knowing He will answer.
If king David could be so real and raw, so can we.
Lift your voice, and let this be your battle cry. GOD is with you, He sees you, hears you, knows your situation well, and already has prepared a good plan for the outcome. Keep believing.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Francesca Battistelli for this.
Titus Two 