Isaiah 43:16-17
“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: ‘Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’”
The first step to shifting our gaze onto God in our difficult season was to commemorate spiritual markers.
Step two is to “remember not the former things.”
So what, exactly, are the Israelites being told to “remember not?”
The very events of which God just reminded them in verses 16-17!
Does that feel contradictory?
I believe God was warning the Israelites not to place Him in a tidy little box. Yes, it was important for them to remember God’s mighty power in rescuing them from Egypt. But the way in which He would bring them back from exile in Babylon would look very different.
And, most importantly, the way God would choose to ultimately deliver all believers would be in a very unexpected Messiah. A savior who did not look at all like the conquering king Israel anticipated.
By focusing only on how God had moved in the past, the Israelites would be in danger of missing His greatest act of all.
Friend, when we are in a wilderness season, it can be tempting to place our own expectations on God.
But, God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). Who are we to decide how God should act on our behalf?
During my own difficult season, I wanted nothing more than for God to miraculously remove every trial. But those were my expectations. And, honestly? They nearly caused me to miss the miraculous way God was changing my heart.
We cannot fix our gaze so intently on the past that we miss how God might choose to move in the present.
If you are in the middle of a lingering wilderness season, invite God to show you a bigger picture of who He is. You might:
1. Think of as many different ways as you can that God has previously answered prayer
2. Read Bible passages in which God intervenes in remarkably different ways (There are some great examples in the various ways he helped his people win battles! Do you think anyone expected that just walking around walls could defeat a city?)
3. Get the support of Christian women who can share their own diverse experiences with God
But above all, let go of how you think God ought to respond. Then praise Him in advance for surprising you with His wonderful, unexpected provision.
Until next time,
Shelby
Leave a Reply