Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 30:2 ESV who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! (Emphasis added is mine)
Funny how this chapter starts off “Ah, stubborn children,” we are aren’t we?! We just go off seeking without asking for the LORD’s direction. Let’s just do it now, together.
LORD I am asking for Your direction, please show it to me. Interestingly, the scripture in Isaiah 30:19 states “He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. (ESV) Ok, if we have asked before He answered us immediately. Is it that we have never heard or that we are still being stubborn children? Are we putting our faith in other things instead of the LORD?
30:15: For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, (ESV) These people in Isaiah 30 were running for what they thought would be the security and affluence in Egypt and were unwilling to wait on the LORD.. However in 30:18 “blessed are all those who wait for him.” Will we wait?
Listen closely, in 30:21: we are promised And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. In the rest and quietness that He says is our strength we will hear Him if we aren’t too busy seeking another direction. Are we listening?
Today’s Prayer: LORD, I am asking for Your direction today. I put my faith in You alone. I will rest in You and I understand that my quiet time with You is my strength. As I hear Your word directing me I will go. Forgive me for my stubbornness when I have heard and chosen another direction. Thank You for allowing me to return and for giving me rest. I am waiting for You LORD; please speak clearly to me so I know exactly what direction to go. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
That is funny – you know, I think because of our stubbornness (we just always seem to make it about us, you know?) we don’t seek His direction at times. Thanks for the reminder today, Tom!
I know I would do a whole lot better if I asked the Lord for His direction instead of going and then asking Him to come along. Thanks for the reminder Tom.
I may be stoned to death for this one, but I have found that with our Father, sometimes it is easier for me to say “I’m sorry” than it is for me to ask permission.
Let that sink in for a while.
Okay. What I am saying is that in the silence of not hearing Him directly, I will move forward in what I believe He would have me do as His son. He has told all of us, repeatedly, what His will is and what it is not. Armed with this knowledge, I do regularly step out in faith and purpose without waiting for His specific Yes or No.
Has it borne fruit? You bet. Has it backfired at times? Of course. But God is still God, I am still His son, and the world is still rotating clockwise. I do believe my boldness pleases our Father. I do. But He still is a just God, and when I write checks my faith cannot cash, He allows accountability to pummel me.
I love that about Him.
Totally agree, i did notice in this scripture we are told we will hear a voice from behind us that says go left of right…not when to go…if we are already GOING we only have to turn left or right….I too believe His general Will is made clear and we should be moving daily in His direction….knowing He will help guide us. Let’s just keep moving forward at all times to be in His kingdom and doing His will…You da man Donald!