Do you ever have days where your heart just feels heavy with
the brokenness you see in the world? In your friend’s lives? In your own life?
I was feeling that this morning, in the two hours I had before chapel/my first
class. In those moments, I just ask the Lord to show me His character. To
reveal to me more of Himself…parts of Him that I’ve never encountered before.
My devotions led me to Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thought are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways.
I was reminded that I shouldn’t put a whole lot of stock
into my own thoughts, as the Lord’s thoughts and ways are literally miles
higher than my own. I left for the day, deciding to trust that God knows what
He’s doing with the world. That His ways and thoughts were higher than mine.
Chapel later on that day, led me to Isaiah again. This time,
Isaiah 40-41. The speaker did a quick overview, pointing out the places where
God’s character shone through.
Maybe you need a reminder of God’s character today. He
answered my prayers today and reaffirmed those truths in me today. Maybe the
words of Isaiah will resonate in your heart and give you new confidence and
boldness.
He is a God of comfort and unending forgiveness (Isaiah
40:1-2): Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that he iniquity is pardoned, that
she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
He is permanent and our only source of stability (Isaiah 40:8):
The
grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever
He is a protector (Isaiah 40:11): He will tend his flock like a
shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his
bosom, and gently lead those that are with young
He lifts up the weak and makes them strong (Isaiah 40:28-29):
Have
you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator
of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. His understanding is
unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he
increases strength.
He satisfies the needy (Isaiah 40:31): They who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall
run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
He has chosen us and makes us fearless (Isaiah 41:9-10): I
have chosen you and not cast you off. Fear not, for I am with you; be not
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand.
He will never forsake us (Isaiah 41:17): When
the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched
with third, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake
them.
Friends, let us believe and press into these words. They will make us fearless. Let
these words guide us and draw us deeper into the wells of His character. Let us
seek to keep hungering after His character, as His thoughts and ways are infinitely
higher than ours.
