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."
Isaiah 43:16-19
Maybe you've been struggling lately. Maybe you're just feeling a little run down. A little lost. Maybe you feel like you're up against giants that are too mighty for you to handle alone, or you just don't know what the next season of life is going to hold or how to even step into that next season at all. Whatever the case may be, we have a God who has turned around situations that seemed absolutely hopeless and made them into beautiful testimonies of his strength, power, love and faithfulness. He's the kind of God who doesn't promise to lead us AROUND our problems, but he does always promise to lead us safely THROUGH them. Sometimes he doesn't make the ocean in front of us disappear, but, instead, he parts the waters right down the middle and leads us straight through the waves and into freedom. (Moses and the Israelites probably did NOT expect that to happen, but our Lord is King of the unexpected, isn't He? :))
So if you're trying to figure out what to do next in whatever situation you find yourself in, be encouraged. Maybe God still has you waiting and wondering at the moment, but it's okay. Maybe he's keeping us in the dark just long enough to teach us that he's our true light. Maybe he's waiting to reveal his plans for our future because he wants us to first realize that HE is the way. Maybe he's about to do a new thing in your life, and the struggle you're facing today is preparing your heart to receive it tomorrow. Believe this: He's going to make a river where there's now only dry land because he ALWAYS provides when we surrender and trust in him. He'll never leave a child of trust hanging because that's simply not who he is. But today, maybe God's calling us to praise him while we're still out in the desert because, river or no river, he is still GOOD. Remember, thanksgiving always comes before breakthrough because gratitude opens up our hearts to receive all the Lord longs to give us. So let's thank him today for the awesome blessings he's already given and the new ones he's preparing for us.
Jesus, we trust in you. Amen.