God Is Doing A New Thing

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
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.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Rest your weary head, for God has declared that He is doing a new thing for you!

I speak this aloud and declare it for myself as well as for you. Over our homes and our families, over our weary bodies, lean bank accounts, and worried minds.

At every turn, we feel defeated and cast aside, like a stray dog hunting scraps from the table instead of an honored friend or daughter at a dinner given by our King.

It’s how the enemy would like us to feel. Forgotten. Mistreated. Trodden down at every turn. Discouraged.

[ctt template=”2″ link=”fSd7M” via=”yes” ]The enemy would like us to feel forgotten, mistreated, downtrodden, and discouraged. But our God and Savior have not forgotten us, and they love us beyond measure.[/ctt]

But … our God, who reigns on high, and our beloved Savior have not forgotten us.  It feels like that. But what are feelings, but something to be toyed with or tossed about by the wind.

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” Mark 4:39

I know I’m not the only one suffering or crying out. Today, let us decide together to declare it. To speak to the storm and command and rebuke it in our Lord’s name.

God is Good

We are not abandoned. The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want. (Psalm 23:1). And our God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19).

In the process of feeling forsaken and then recaptured close to God’s heart, I can only say that it has caused in me a tenderness and compassion that would not have risen otherwise. Where bitterness would have cause to take root, I have found at the end of myself … Christ in me.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith … has … substance.  It is the evidence of things not seen. The evidence of God is Jesus Christ in me. When all is said and done, at the end of myself is love.

That is the respite from your battles. In the arms of our Loving God, and in that time of “weakness,” He is the strongest in and through us. Our humility defeats the enemy. Our pride falls and we depend on God’s care to turn every evil thrown our way into good.

“And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:27-28

God Is Doing A New Thing

I have come to believe my life may never be easy in the sense that the world uses that word. I will not have a life of ease because I have a target, you see. It’s pretty big and besides having one on my backside, it’s on my forehead. It says, I am “God’s Daughter.” I am not abandoned or an orphan as I am led to believe.

[ctt template=”2″ link=”80an5″ via=”no” ]Life may never be easy, but we don’t have to walk through it alone.[/ctt]

The arrows fly and somedays they hit their mark. Oh, but the ones that I and my loved ones have been protected by. They are too numerous to count. I’m protected and loved, as are you!

And the ones that hit and cut, the wound often sinks beneath marrow and bone, into organs and veins, and as a result, is used deeply and effectively for His glory. I can say … for this I rejoice, though the tears I have shed at the pain are not easy.

Our Father has bottled them and not forgotten. And somehow that comforts me.

This new thing that God is doing. Could it be inside of me?

From My Heart to Yours

Read the scripture at the beginning again. Has it taken on a new meaning? Was the storm only from outside of ourselves or also from within?

Share a favorite Scripture or Word from God that has helped see you through the daily difficulties we face. Let us help each other as God breathes life into our hearts and fills our cups with His Living Water so, we can help in turn fill others.

If you liked this blog post, keep your eyes open for Laura’s upcoming book, Candid Conversations, where she has partnered with 25 other Christian women. While each story shares a unique perspective, the prevailing theme is that we all struggle, but there is hope to be found in Jesus. Coming August 13th, 2018. Now available for pre-order.