What God Is Doing

This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 (New International Version)

I love the book of Isaiah! As I read through it, there are phrases that are meant to be banners of encouragement. They must be my focus and foundation as I go through each day. When the things I see, feel, and experience become over whelming, the reminders of God’s Word resettle my heart, mind, and spirit…..if I let them. Already this morning I have been reminded that God is the One who has called me, carried me, chosen me, redeemed me, named me, established me, brought about His purposes for me, kept His word to me, and loved me.

All that is more than enough to know, but He doesn’t stop there. He adds to the picture of personal involvement by letting me know He is the One teaching me what is best for me and directing me in the way I should go. I too easily forget or ignore that. I too often think it all rests on my shoulders to “get it right!” Mistakes, set backs, and disappointments cause me to feel like Isaiah 49:4 which says “I have toiled in vain. I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity.” And God is letting me know THAT is not true. Even that which I think is nothing, He is using to show me what is best for me and the direction I need to be heading.

So what are the biggest hindrances to seeing that truth and living it out on a daily basis? Continual skewed thinking about myself, God , and others. Feelings of insignificance and insecurity cause me read into so much and draw wrong conclusions. They are what rob me of peace and joy. James 1:17 comes to mind and I like how it reads in the Message, “So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.” In other words, God is saying to me, “I am not what you think and the things I am doing in your life are not what you think. Trust Me to teach you. Trust Me to lead you. Get back on course. Get back to the realization that I love you and have your best interest at heart.”

Father, You have once again shown me just what I needed to see. Your truth is what will change and set me free. Amen.

Word of God Speak ~ Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74&feature=related