With my busy schedule, I sometimes lose track of time and am not always able to spend good time with God. It got so bad that the other day I sat down and had a good talk with him. I said "God, I really want to do what you're asking of me but I just don't have the time. I know that's not an excuse but I can't seem to find a moment to breathe never mind sit down with a journal and read the bible. I need you to help me, make the time for me to spend with you. Help me organize and clear my schedule."
2 days later:
*BOOM* Insert the 2020 Pandemic. Everyone has been encouraged to stay in the house, all outside events are cancelled and school (my job) is paused for 6 weeks.... Oh ok then.
And of course without missing a beat, on day 1 of shutting in, God wakes me up at 3:30am for a good ole Bible Study session! I love God, but we don't always seem to see eye to eye on the appropriate time to get up and study the bible. Still I got up because I try to be obedient when God gives me an order. I got my journal, went to my desk and opened my bible app to the scripture thats been playing over and over in my mind since church a few weeks ago: Isaiah 43. When I get there God says scroll to the end. So I do, and I see this:
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. 27 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me. 28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction[d] and Israel to scorn.
I read it a bunch of times because I honestly couldn't understand why he was taking me there. Then I heard in my spirit "Now research the whole chapter, but hold that thought in the back of your mind. So I did...
The book of Isaiah is a story of a prophet who's mission was to let the leaders of Israel know, that they had to get it together. He wanted them to understand that their actions were causing God to become very upset. He was in charge of bringing them the words of judgement from God but also words of Hope from God. The judgement was that their rebellion would come at a cost and the message of hope is that God will still fulfill his covenant promise so that his blessings would reach the nations in the end. Although people disagreed with him, Isaiah still had a passion to spread God's word right up until he died. God told him that his message would harden the heart of those who had turned away from God's word but he was to trust him and press forward anyway.
100 years later God's word came to pass, the people of Israel were held captive by those they saw as friends and all of Isaiah's warnings of Judgement came true. When the Babylonian exile ended and the people of Israel were allowed to go home, the thought was that they would rejoice and become servants of God. Instead they responded by complaining and accusing God of ignoring them in a time of trouble. They started to doubt God's own power. So God responded by pretty much telling them about themselves. Which brings us to the scripture I was led to read.
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. 27 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me. 28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction[d] and Israel to scorn.
In the next few chapters he lets them know who he is and that the exile they went through was not neglect it was judgement. They should see God as king and should be telling the nations all about what he has done for them, but they remain rebellious and hard hearted so he fires them, rejects them as his servants. Not because he gave up on his mission to bless the nations but because they can be replaced.
There is more and I am still studying this book of Isaiah, but I wanted to take the time to write about this scripture because I know that God wants us to know something in this time. He wants us to know that he wants to bless the nations, he wants us to serve him and spread the Good news, he has a plan and a purpose for our lives and he is giving us time to process right now. We aren't in our houses taking a vacation, we are in preparation for our next level. We may have to battle, we may have to cut people off or take some people in, we may have to do some things that are not in our comfort zone but whatever it is he has called you to do; you already know what it is. So take this time now to process, prepare and practice for it. Don't be the servants that are so caught up in complaining about what you can't do that you get fired from the job God has planned for you. Don't be the servant that gets replaced.
When it's time for you and God to review the past and argue the matter, don't have a weak case. When I sat down with God and complained that I didn't have time to worship him I thought I had a strong case. Instead of making excuses, it is time to move when God says to move and it's not as hard as you think. All you have to do is ask him for help.
Ask God to give you clarity & understanding
Ask him to fill you with his spirit & wisdom over these next few days
Ask him to organize your thoughts and guide your steps
Ask him for very clear instruction
and then GO! DO IT! Whatever it is, no matter how big or small, just do it and watch what it turns into.
Praying for you in this time...God help us figure out where you want us, allow us to waste no time and rebuke distractions. We know that all things work together for the good of those that love you so we trust your will and your plan. We thank you in advance for what is to come. Keep us safe, healthy and strengthened. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
