Isaiah 58:11a The LORD will guide you always….
I consider myself to be a very resourceful person, reasonably intelligent, capable, independent. In this world, these are good, useful traits. But I’ve confessed my propensity for worry and my “If only” leanings. I know these are obstacles in my relationship with Christ. A gem from one of my readings this morning has given me much to ponder: “As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our trust in Him.” Jesus, Help me.
Isaiah 58:11b …He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame….
The deeply loved child of God that I am immediately bristles at the thought that I am still trying to rely on my own resources instead of my Savior. After all, don’t I spend every morning seeking a closer relationship with Him? But the realist in me recognizes the truth of the statement. It makes sense that the reason I struggle so with worry, with laying things at His feet and leaving them there, is because I think I can handle them. Clearly I can’t. I need my Savior. I want my Savior to be the center of my life. I want Him to use my resourcefulness, intelligence, and independent nature to SERVE Him, not to circumvent Him. Jesus, Help me.
Isaiah 58:11c …You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this insight. I love You so deeply. I need You so desperately. I don’t want anything to replace my dependence on You. You are my center. You are my life. Break down all my defenses, Lord, and draw me closer. Amen.
1 John 4:5 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.