God’s Course of Encouragement and Hope

30
Aug

Isaiah 30:21- “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

The Lord had told Israel that if they returned to Him, from waywardness and idol worship, and trusted Him they would be saved from their enemies. God told them that their ears would hear a word behind them, saying, “this is the way, walk you in it. However, acting like a moody child, Israel tried to defeat the Assyrian army with help from Egypt than to trust in their Lord.

Like Israel there are many times when we look to our own minds, or friends and family for direction when things go well in our life. We forget God. But when we encounter our first adversity, we run to God with our wants. And even then, maybe we still don’t wait to hear His voice, or we want an answer immediately; possibly, a back slide on our faith. Better to be uncomfortable but with the Lord, than to be comfortable and out of step with God.
Why is it so easy for us to listen to the advice and counsel of others than to wait on our all-knowing Father for Heavenly direction to our purpose? Like Israel, we could probably be forgetful and foolish, rebellious and ignorant, disobedient and irritable, but God’s grace and mercy towards us never changes and He is always there. God guides us back to Him, into the way of truth. We might begin to wander off the road to one side or to the other side. But then, we will hear His voice close behind us: ‘Here is the right road. Follow it.’

God wants just one thing from us, ‘to listen’ to His voice and to His Word. If we do this, it shows that we trust in God’s love; we want to obey His instructions and take every step directed by Him for His glory. Definitely God’s words of Encouragement and Hope for our future will only lead to our eternal gain. Jesus, as our personal Teacher, gave instruction to His people on the right way to live. Imagine the Love of our God, who promised us His Son to be with us till the end of our time on earth. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)