Not everyday does God just drop a Scripture on you like a ton of bricks, but yesterday He did just that to me. I am in Isaiah in my Bible reading and worked my way into Isaiah chapter 30. It's a long chapter so I'm going to type out the verses on here.
These verses meant so much to me because of the rapid growth we've seen and the expectation of "What in the world do we do next?". I'm going to be a bit transparent here and tell you that I wrote in my journal yesterday before I started reading "I'm scared Lord". What happens if we become a church of 500 people? 1000? I don't feel capable of that. YES this is VERY exciting, but at the same time SO OVERWHELMING. "Where will we meet next?" "We've got to get into East High School!" "The Theater isn't big enough!" Then THIS!
vv. 1-2 "What sorrow awaits my rebellious children," says the Lord. "You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh's protection. You have tried to hide in his shade." v. 7 "Egypt's promises are worthless!" (I wrote in my margin while reading "so what do we do?")
vv.10-11 (speaking of Judah) They tell the seers "Stop seeing visions!" They tell the prophets, "Don't tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom. Get off the narrow path. Stop telling us about your Holy One of Israel" (I then wrote in the margin "we keep preaching") We can't get off the narrow path.
v. 15 "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said 'No, we will get our help from Egypt'".
v. 17b (if we get our help from Egypt) "You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop" (I wrote "we want to be an army to storm the gates of hell")
v. 19b "He will be gracious if you ask for help."
v. 21 "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, 'This is the way you should go,' whether to the right or to the left."
v. 23 "Then the Lord will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock."
v. 26b "So it will be when the Lord begins to heal his people and cure the wounds he gave them."
When will the Lord bless you? v. 23 says "Then..." After all of this...Keep from making plans with Egypt. Consult Him. Keep preaching the TRUTH! Be quiet and confident in HIM. Ask! Listen for His voice behind you. THEN...THEN he will bless you with rain. Plenty of pastureland (or sanctuary space). I felt as if God was speaking directly to ME through Isaiah. Just a reminder of who is in charge around here.
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3 comments:
PTL! He will provide!!!
I hear you bro. We moved to Cheyenne last week, and were fully prepared to go through the normal routine of searching through the phone book and visiting churches to find out where God wanted us (We're military so we've gone through this process many times.) But unbeknownst to us God’s plan was for us to get connected immediately with a church that is full force in the same direction we were (servanthood, outreach, small home groups, living instead of preaching) We were fully prepared to wade in the spiritual waters of Cheyenne until we found a place that worked for our family, and no later than 3 days after arriving here we (divinely?) encounter Adam at Chipotle and next thing you know we’re connecting and aligning ourselves with element and your vision.
I’m impressed by God’s plans, and how different they are from our own. And I’m excited beyond words to hear what he’s going to whisper “from right behind me” next.
My name is Jeremy Wight in Sacramento, CA. I attend the River Church with Dusty Taylor. We will be moving to Boise, ID to help plant a church in July. I am so excited at what you are experiencing through God's power. Yeah God!
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