Series: Blessed Be
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Isaiah 11:2 ESV
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
Hebrews 8:1 ESV
Acts 2:33 ESV
I have not been a great person for making decisions…ever.
I’m not sure why I seem to have missed that step in my development, but I do know that my Mom is great at making decisions. She does possess the ability to problem solve even in her upper 90’s.
My process for making decisions involves praying, listening, praying and listening, and if I am still not sure I heard an answer I pray and listen again. I learned that from my dad.
It’s not a bad way to make a decision, it’s just not instantaneous.
Because I struggle to make instant decisions and my decision making relies on listening prayer skills I’ve read, studied, taken classes, and practiced listening prayer for a good portion of my life. Decades ago when I found a church that had a strong prayer ministry that practiced listening prayer I was thrilled!
Finding that church and those classes was actually an answer to my prayers! At the time I was newly single again after being married for more than thirty years so it really was evidence of God at work in my life.
In addition to finding the classes, I became a prayer leader and my fellow prayer warriors who were also prayer leaders became my “clan”. They were such a wonderful blessing to me at a time when I needed it!
I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures in Isaiah 41:10,
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Indeed when I instantly became single again after being married all of my adult life Isaiah’s words were exactly what I needed to hear.
My new friends helped me to realize that God remembered me.
Being remembered is “a thing” with humans and also with many species of animals. Because I am allergic to cats I’ve always had dogs, and for this last bit of my life I’ve had small dogs because I’ve lived in smaller places. When I’ve been gone, even for an hour and I come home my dog is always excited when I return.
We all love being remembered…
Isaiah also tells us not to be dismayed.
The Hebrew word for ‘dismay’ is ‘tis-ta’ and in addition to not being dismayed it means do not be anxious or anxiously look around.
God wants us to relax in the Spirit and let God be in charge. Isaiah goes on in that section of scripture to tell us God is God and God is in charge. It seems like that continues with the theme that Isaiah began by telling us, “Relax…God has it all covered!”
In the third section of Isaiah 41:10 the Prophet reminds us that God…THE God offers us the promise of strength. We need to know that this isn’t just any kind of human strength. It’s super God-like strength that comes to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In Isaiah 11:2 we are told,“the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.”
We are also told the strength of the Spirit is swift and strong like a deer’s feet which means it is really fast and decidedly capable of overcome it obstacles. I don’t know if you’ve ever watched a large deer run through a field and jump a very tall fence, but they can run incredibly fast and jump higher than I thought could be possible! Isaiah is telling us with God’s help we can accomplish anything beyond our human strength alone will allow.
Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Notice it doesn’t promise “some thing” it promises “all things” through Christ.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” God will NOT ever leave you or leave you to figure it out on your own.
In the last section of scripture Isaiah promises that God will hold onto us with his righteous right hand. That means God holds us in a place of honor.
Hebrews 8:1 says, “Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.” That means we will be in Christ and with Christ who is seated at the right hand of the throne.
Acts 2:33 puts it this way, “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” Christ poured himself out on us and WE have received the promise of the Holy Spirit!
We have to read and remember that the promises in scripture are not merely suggestions of what could be. They are promises of what “IS” when we put our hand in God’s hand. Turning to God means we can trust God to hold fast to his promises in scripture.
Spiritual Practice: Turn to God
If it’s your first time or you’ve already turned to God years ago embrace the promises that God gives every minute of every day. BE thankful for God’s eternal “watchcare”!
In God, Deborah