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Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. |
It was "in the wilderness" that the pathway was made (Isaiah 43:19). In a world full of unexpected challenges and surprises, it is easy to quickly pass them off as bad things. But what if our perceived trials are actually intended to reveal direction to new beginnings?
While reading this verse recently, I saw it from a different perspective. It was in the wilderness that He made a pathway. Before, I had previously seen it from the viewpoint that I somehow found myself in the wilderness and, after being there, God made a way out. However, what if God led me into the wilderness because He knew that is where I would be able to clearly see His ways?
It was in this moment I began to realize that there had been times In my life when I had tried to get out of the exact place that He wanted me to be. This may sound unusual, but it’s not at all untypical. Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit and tempted by the Devil right before he started His ministry (Matthew 4:1). His journey into the wilderness happened directly after the Lord said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy” in the preceding verse. (Matthew 3:17). The wilderness wasn’t because God was punishing Him; it was because God was calling Him!
Could it be that what we see as random hardships are actually a God-led wilderness of direction? He is intentionally calling us into deeper waters! Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." Perhaps, He knows that the only way we will ever venture out to swim through the "rivers of difficulty" is if we have completely lost sight of the comfortable shore (Isaiah 43:2).
Father,
Thank You for calling us into deeper waters! Thank You for leading us into the wilderness and making a way! Thank You for Your desire to prosper us and not harm us! Help us to never lose sight of Your perfect ways and unfailing love! We love You, Lord! Amen.
While reading this verse recently, I saw it from a different perspective. It was in the wilderness that He made a pathway. Before, I had previously seen it from the viewpoint that I somehow found myself in the wilderness and, after being there, God made a way out. However, what if God led me into the wilderness because He knew that is where I would be able to clearly see His ways?
It was in this moment I began to realize that there had been times In my life when I had tried to get out of the exact place that He wanted me to be. This may sound unusual, but it’s not at all untypical. Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit and tempted by the Devil right before he started His ministry (Matthew 4:1). His journey into the wilderness happened directly after the Lord said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy” in the preceding verse. (Matthew 3:17). The wilderness wasn’t because God was punishing Him; it was because God was calling Him!
Could it be that what we see as random hardships are actually a God-led wilderness of direction? He is intentionally calling us into deeper waters! Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." Perhaps, He knows that the only way we will ever venture out to swim through the "rivers of difficulty" is if we have completely lost sight of the comfortable shore (Isaiah 43:2).
Father,
Thank You for calling us into deeper waters! Thank You for leading us into the wilderness and making a way! Thank You for Your desire to prosper us and not harm us! Help us to never lose sight of Your perfect ways and unfailing love! We love You, Lord! Amen.
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