promise of God – Be Still…

Romans 8:28 – For Our Own Good

^“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

For “those who love God,” this verse has a significant promise. For those far from God or indifferent to him, this assurance does not exist. How do we respond to God knowing he has our best interests in mind?

Context (Romans 8:26-30): This verse is nestled in Paul’s discussion about the Holy Spirit helping us in our weakness. It’s a beautiful image of how God takes over when we aren’t capable. Sometimes we’re in such a dark place we don’t even know what to pray. That is when the Holy Spirit can shine through us. Our memory verse emphasizes the protection and provision we have when we love God. God knew we would need a helper. Continue reading “Romans 8:28 – For Our Own Good”

Isaiah 41:10 – Never Alone

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
(Isaiah 41:10)

This is one of those verses you want to write on your heart for those times when you are afraid of something you’re facing. We know life isn’t promised to be perfect. How much better when we remember we are never alone. Jesus is walking with us through all the valleys, too.

Context: Isaiah had been called by God to wake up the Israelites to their coming doom. Yet Chapter 41 is a beautiful example of how God cares for his children. Amidst discussion of how God will use unlikely enemy sources, he promises hope and provision for his people, Israel. They can put their trust in him. God is hoping the message he gives Isaiah encourages them to do just that.

This comment is so fitting of God’s character. He can discipline and love at the same time. He doesn’t want us to fear, only trust him. Imagine God is saying this to you. What are you afraid of or discouraged about right now? Doesn’t knowing God is holding you up help you feel more secure?

No matter what, God is there strengthening us. Life may be chugging along on a high note. God is still there. Once we open our hearts to him, God never leaves our side. The promise he made to the Israelites is for us as well. We have been welcomed into the family of God as believers in Christ. This protection is for us, too.

The Israelites would fall and be overtaken at some point after these words were spoken through the prophet. Despite that, God promised he wouldn’t abandon them. The Israelites had given God every reason to disown them by their behaviors and willful disrespect of God’s desires for them. Yet our God is forgiving, isn’t he? He doesn’t abandon us.

Jesus’ death made it possible for us to have better communication with God. Many times the abandonment happens because we leave God behind. God’s closeness can be reciprocated as we have been given access to God as well.

How do you approach God? Is it with reverence, on your knees, with the respect God deserves? I’m confident God’s okay with our on-the-run conversations, too. Sometimes those little pop-up prayers driving down the road can be precious and memorable.

I like when God sends reminders to reassure us he is still working. Sometimes you hear something on the radio that just resonates, like the perfect song. I know I’ve been a puddle of tears on more than one occasion when the lyrics of the song I’m listening to really strike a chord. I like to think those messages are from God and meant just for me.

The bottom line is we are never alone. God doesn’t want us to be afraid or worried because he’s there to strengthen us. He helps us and doesn’t let us fall. Lean into God today and let yourself feel his strength and support.

Let’s pray. Lord, I love you with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and I want you to be the leader of my life. Thank you for never leaving my side and giving me what I need each day. Thank you for stepping into my mess and making things better. Lead me in the way you want me to go. I love your messages for me, may I keep my eyes open for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Isaiah 55:11 – Always Fruitful

“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

God’s Word always bears fruit and gives us exactly what we need. This verse is a good reminder of that truth. There’s a lot more to this promise for us to rely on and glean wisdom. I just love how peaceful it makes me feel to hear about God’s intentionality in accomplishing his will in our lives.

Context: Isaiah 55 speaks of how God meets and cares for his people. For Isaiah to be sharing such truth would be a bit different from the gloom and doom messages God had been giving him about the punishment to Israel for their disobedience. This chapter is full of hope, and this verse fits in beautifully to point us toward the benefits and importance of paying attention to God’s word, the truth. Continue reading “Isaiah 55:11 – Always Fruitful”

1 Chronicles 17:16-27 – David Responds in Prayer

Read 1 Chronicles 17:16-27

After receiving the promise from God in our last reading, what was David’s response? Prayer. David was moved and spoke to God in this humble prayer of thanks.

David begins with such humility. “Who am I, O Lord God?” Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps God has revealed to you a plan for your life, and you don’t feel anywhere close to being worthy of such a mission. There is no greater honor, I can tell you, than to be used by God! But how often do we ever feel “ready?”

Obadiah 17-21 – Promised Restoration

Read Obadiah 17-21

I learned today the Edomites were taken down in the 5^th century B.C. God used a people called the Nabateans to defeat the Edomites and force them from their main city of Petra. The interval between prediction and fulfillment would, therefore, have been very short, assuming Obadiah was writing following the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem. When Obadiah prophesied this promise, it was probably thought to be crazy. Judah was the more likely candidate to not survive (that’s only when you take God’s will out of the equation)! The Edomites would later disappear from history completely, marking the total destruction of one of Israel’s enemies.

It always helps me to understand the context of a story to aid in understanding. The Negev region was very dry and hot in the southern part of Judah. The foothills would be found in western Judah. Phoenicia would be an ancient civilization along the Mediterranean, primarily located in modern-day Lebanon.