Category Archives: Prayer

READY TO BE REFRESHED…?

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

How does it make you feel when you watch the news about ISIS, the horrible abuse of one human being to another, hear the political spin and the selfish, narcissistic divisiveness within our country?
Does it all feel impossible? Do you feel like we are living in a wasteland?
Then…what despair do you feel when you spend time with, or think of someone (or several someone’s) within your family or circle of friends who repeats the same pattern of behavior again and again? It is a pattern which always…always results in hurting herself (himself) and then…pain for others.
The losses mount up and the hopelessness sets in.
I think, in part, because so much time goes by, we begin to think that nothing is ever going to change for the better. It is always changing, of course…but it feels like all is getting worse. Of course…that is certainly true in some cases. It has certainly been true in my life. There have been some people and situations who never changed. The end was the worst possible end. It left great chunks of wasteland, where we had hoped there would finally be lush, green, rolling hills.
We live in a fallen world. There are no movie-like fairytale endings. But there is amazing God-given change and depth in the lives of those left to work through the wasteland. I have the immense joy of watching God do a new thing through our times of devastation. What a faith builder. It doesn’t happen in days…change and healing will take (is taking) years…perhaps a lifetime.
But He is doing a new thing…it is springing up…I do now perceive it! God is continuously making a way in the desert and streams in a wasteland!
What a mighty God we serve. He is a trustworthy God who loves us. If we will pray…if we will work through the pain at His feet…He truly does work the painful, exhausting, heart-wrenching events for our good and His glory. He will bring purpose in our lives that we never imagined or thought possible.
He is saying, “Work with me here. Stop hanging on to how badly you have been mistreated or hurt. Do this my way…not the angry, self-protective way the world (and your own flesh) is telling you. Pray, humble yourself. Read My word and live life with My grace and wisdom. Love the way I show you to love.”
“If you do this…
I…I…will make a way in this desert. I will provide refreshing streams in your wasteland!”
Ready to be refreshed?

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