I love when scripture jumps out at me and touches my heart in a new way. It’s all about timing and circumstances, isn’t it? We read the same verses over and over in our lifetime, but each time it truly is different. Each time we are in a different season- possibly battling different trials or celebrating different triumphs.
I came across Isaiah 41:17-20 on December 31. Just when my soul was reflecting on the year
behind me and looking forward to the new year ahead. And I felt parched. I felt as though the past year had been
nothing but a huge hardship. No real
progress, no fruit. Perhaps it was a
year of pruning. A year of waiting. A year in the trenches.
As soon as I read this passage, I knew it was from the Lord,
and my attitude shifted.
“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none,
and their tongue is PARCHED with thirst, I the Lord will ANSWER them; I the God
of Israel will not forsake them.”
God knows. He
understands. He meets us where we are,
and on this day, He was meeting me in my state of thirst. And He promises that He will show up. He will come to our aid. And if that’s not enough, there was more!
To summarize the next section:
“I will open RIVERS on the bare heights, and FOUNTAINS in
the midst of the valleys. I will bring springs of water to the dry land…so that
you might see and know, consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has
done this. The Holy One of Israel has
created it.”
God doesn’t just say He will show up and offer aid. He says He will show up BIG and bring
miracles! As I pondered this promise, I
decided to make it my prayer for the new year.
My Prayer:
“Lord, I feel parched. I thirst for You. I thirst for
purpose. Lead me to Your Word each day. Teach me. Show me where you want me to
SERVE. I am done serving only myself. I want to be a light in the darkness so
that others might grow closer to You. Open rivers and fountains for me this
year- opportunities to help bring water to dry lands- so that Your name is made
great. I give You all the glory. Amen.”
Friends, I pray for fountains of blessings on your year too.
I pray that you will seek Him more, and as you do, that He will reveal His
good, pleasing, and perfect will for you.
Ask Him where He would have you serve others. You might already be in
the middle of a fountain, enjoying rewards of your labor. Praise the Lord! Then I would encourage you to help others
step into their calling. Let this year be all about discipleship. Let us come together
as believers and build each other up as we also seek to reach the lost. And let
us give God the glory along the way. For He is good, and His promise is secure.
