A New Thing

"'But forget all that—

it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

The wild animals in the fields will thank me,

the jackals and owls, too,

for giving them water in the desert.

Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland

so my chosen people can be refreshed.

I have made Israel for myself,

and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help.

You have grown tired of me, O Israel!'"

Isaiah 43:18–22

'God plans to—longs to—bless his people, so that they may honor him. Mark carefully: It's about reltationship. He's not interested in people who simply "do the right thing." He wants people to honor him. You don't honor someone unless you have a relationship with them. Today, know that God has made you for himself; he longs to bless you—and accept this gift of relationship. Don't be afraid to ask for help; don't ever grow tired of the living God!'
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

I love it when God does something new!  Right now we are facing challenges and trials in our lives.  But I now see these as an opportunity for God to do a new thing...something that He hasn't done before in our lives.  For it is through the trials of this world that our faith is forged and our hearts are drawn ever closer to Him!  Troubles and trials are opportunities for growth.  We can see them as a refiners fire, melting us, driving out our impurities, and forging us more and more into the image of Jesus Christ!  And that, my friends, should be blessing enough! 

But our living God goes one step further...He not only wants to bless, He wants a real relationship with us!  He created each and every person for Himself!  Sadly, some reject Him, deny Him, and blaspheme Him.  How our Heavenly Father must hurt for those who refuse to seek Him.  But for those who do, how often do we take Him for granted, ignore Him, skip out on church, our daily prayers, worship, or reading His Word.  Yet, He still seeks - desiring a relationship with each and every one of us - standing ready if we'd just glance His way!  Sadly, it usually takes a crisis or problems to big for us to handle for us to truly turn to Him.    

And yet despite all the things that seem to go against us in the world, we are blessed by a magnificent, living God.  Our Lord blesses us far more than we know or recognize!  We can always go to Him in time of need.  Relinquish your pride, fall on your knees before Him, tell Him your troubles.  He stands ready to help and may already be doing - you just may not realize He is.  Sometimes we simply must go through the storm to get to the rainbow on the other side.  But He promises to be with us if we simply humble ourselves and seek Him.  I like how Diane ended her devotion...don't ever grow tired before the living God!  Count your blessings and thank Him. Honor Him daily.  Make time to work on your end of the relationship with Him.  And love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength! 
I pray that whatever you are facing in life, good or bad, that You will look for God to do a new thing!  Honor Him

Grace and Peace!


In His Love, Cathy