Isaiah 43 - "God Is Good"

God gave me Isaiah 43:19 for three young ladies this week. They all three are going through changes in life. They are experiencing things they have never experienced before. In verse eighteen Isaiah tells the Israelites to not look at the past but to focus on the future. If our past is full of failures and discouragement, we will continue to experience the same if we dwell on them. In verses sixteen and seventeen Isaiah encourages the Israelites to look at what God has done for them such as the parting of the Red Sea. The lesson to be learned is to remember the good things God has done and not dwell on the bad things you or others have done. As we live in this manner God will reveal great things in our life. In verse nineteen God asks, Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? In today's world this is when the Holy Spirit asks, “Will you stay in step with My Spirit? When He leads into something new, shall you not know it?” (Guzik) This picture was taken the morning of my ordination. I was struggling emotionally and started crying. My church Annabelle comforted me and cried with me. I knew God was doing a new thing in my life but it was think I would walk down the aisle alone. I am grateful I had the privilege to walk down the aisle with Doc in 2000 when he was ordained. I am grateful for the way God restored my relationship with Him when I fell away. I am grateful for the love and prayers of my tribe. Plain and simple. I am grateful. God made a road in the wilderness for the Israelites just as He continues to make a road in the wilderness of widowhood for me. He provided for the Israelites in many ways just as He continues to provide for me. I praise Him for His faithfulness. Verse seven of this chapter reads, They shall declare My praise. That is exactly what I desire to do every day. I want Him to be glorified through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. This chapter prophesied of deliverance for Israel but most importantly it is speaking of the deliverance we receive by God. It is only in Him that we will receive victory over anything that happens on this earth. I am praying for the three ladies God gave me this verse. I am praying they realize victory in the situations they are dealing with and praise God through the 'junk' they have to go through to receive such victory. The words to a song Francesca Battistelli sings called "God Is Good" have been on my mind lately...

Joy comes
Tears fall
I'm learning there is beauty in it all
It's not hard to find it
You just have to look
Oh, God is good

Dear Jesus, I pray for these three young ladies You gave me Isaiah 23:19 for this week to have victory in You. Thank You for the opportunity for me to be in their lives! Thank You for continuing to be with me on this journey of widowhood! Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! May people see/hear You in my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today. Thank You for Pam who took care of my Momma's needs yesterday! Lord, continue to be with those who are struggling. My Momma; my sisters Linda, Sally, and Mary; my brother Richard; Ben and Colleen; Tony and Madeline; Pete and Delores; Steve; Cait; Mike; Norma Hall; Little Jensen who needs a heart; Sharon Sebolt and her Momma Shirley; the Pottenger Family; Serena and her husband; some young ladies with anxiety; a man in rehab for anger issues; a young man out of rehab who needs strength in his daily walk; a husband/father separated from his wife; Pastor Sam; Mary Lilley; Preacher Bill Watts; those with COVID either themselves or in their family; Iwilda's family; Kristen Batten; Timmy; and many others. I also pray healing prayers over many who are dealing with 'c' and/or going through treatments...Doug and Gay; Patty's daughter Tracy; Sharon's daughter Ashley and niece Amy; Chrissy's cousins; Debbie's husband Kelly; Cait's friend with leukemia; my pastor friend with daily chemo; Patti Perkins; Tammie; Little Ivy and Dorothy's grandson with leukemia; Betty's friend in New York'; my friend diagnosed with mesothelioma; and my friend going through tests. I pray for: Jonathan whose mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the Long Family, Baby Henry, Christina and her family, and Karl Stein. I pray for all our military and their families to lean into Your strength. Thank You Lord for being with Anna, Michael, Matt, and myself in these days without my Rickey with us. Some days are just harder than others. Thank You for the way You keep us in communication with one another! Thank You for being My Joy! Amen.