Carol J German

Today is the day where you have choices, choices that will either enhance your life or cause it to wither. God gives each of us the choice to choose an abundant life or a good life. For some, they choose neither and go down a dark road. Today, you have a choice. You can either walk with God and follow His ways, or choose to follow your own path. One leads to an abundant life which is satisfying, see John 10:10, while the other gives you opportunities to enjoy what the world offers. One leads into eternity with God, while the other may offer good things for today, but there is an expiration date attached to it. Once you leave earth, that’s it.

In my last blog, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”, I gave an example of the kind of attitude that God is seeking from His children that will lead you and I to the abundant life that can only be found in Christ. Eli and his young student, Samuel, exhibit a true heart that leans into God, “‘It is the Lord’s will,’ Eli replied to Samuel, ‘let Him do what He thinks best.'” (1 Samuel 3:18)

They understood that God is in charge, and they responded accordingly. They were given a stark warning from God, one that would have shaken them in their shoes. Hardships were coming. Yet, they knew that they were in good hands because of God. Even if harsh trials came upon them, their attitude revealed that God had reasons for everything. Their hearts knew Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose for them.”

Has God convinced you that He is with you, no matter what?

In Isaiah 30:18-26, God teaches you what happens when you have faith like Eli and Samuel. The first part reveals a heart attitude that is required, “The Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion.”¹⁸

Do you want to know truth? Do you desire to walk intimately with God? Is your heart ready?

Verse 19 reveals who God is, “The Lord is a faithful God.” Eli and Samuel knew this. I, too, have found God to be faithful in my 55 years of life. There has never been one time where He has not been with me. God walks intimately with those whose hearts are turned toward Him.

The second part of verse 19 says that those who wait for His help are blessed. God assures you that He will help you. You are never left to weather the ups and downs of life on your own. You are made to follow Him.

As you continue on, Isaiah tells you that you will weep no more. Your soul is filled with hope and purpose when your life is integrated into Christ’s life. As you ask for help from God, He will be gracious to you. “He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.”¹⁹ Can God be anymore beautiful? He hears you. He hears your heart.

(Want to know more? You can pre-order my book, “God Hears My Heart.” The link is in the menu under the Books tab.)

We see in verse 20, “The Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink.” Many people struggle with God being loving when unfairness and injustice occur. May I help you to see that because of sin, the world is upside down and backwards. Sin disrupted the ways of God. It severed the unity between God and us. Man has to find his way back to God. You and I need to come to Christ. He is the only way back to God, see John 14:6 and Acts 4:12.

Life is hard when you have to endure job loss, illness, uncertainties, unpredictable events like car accidents or fires, to name a few. Yet, like Romans 8:28 says, God works everything together for good. God is bigger than sin. He defeated it by the rising of His Son. This is why you can believe and trust God.

Even in hard times, Isaiah tells us, “God will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear Him.”^20-21a

This should be very encouraging, my friend. Your circumstances may not change right away, but God is with you to teach you through it. He will help you to see and hear, for yourself, what He wants you to learn from whatever you are experiencing. He will keep your focus on heavenly things. This world is fleeting and changing, God is not. He is the Rock to stand on. Isaiah 28:16 says, “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken!”

Isaiah shares in verse 23 an important part that we must do as we learn to follow after Christ. When you look up and see, and open your ears to hearing the voice of God, you are to, “destroy all your silver idols and precious gold images.” You are to, “throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, ‘Good riddance!'” As you walk with God, the things of this world should be falling to the wayside. What is important in the world will become dim in your eyes as God awakens your soul to what lies ahead for you.

Are you willing to change? Are you willing to live for another world, an eternal one? In Christ, you have been called out, set apart, from this dark and chaotic world.

When you say yes to Christ, and follow in His ways, you see God stepping in. Notice what the final verses say, “God will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock.”²³ It sounds like God gives you a bountiful life. Life is full when God gets involved.

You and I have to battle enemies. The battle of good and evil is all around, and no one is exempt from it. In Christ, “your enemies are slaughtered and the towers fall.”²⁵ Your soul becomes free in Christ as you let go of worldly attachments. His light will shine bright from within as God begins to heal you.

You need healing from sin that encompasses your whole being. There is no greater love than God’s willingness to heal you. My friend, today is the day to receive His amazing love. Jump in and say yes!