Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Wisdom – Isaiah 43:18-19 – A New Thing – Growing As Disciples
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
No Way
So, you think that there is no way. Did I say that or did I only think that? What difference does it make? Well, if I thought something but didn’t say it, I might not have accepted it as being true. Let’s talk about your thoughts. What do you have in mind? I want you to move forward with me. I want you to follow me to where I am leading you. I want you to do what I am asking you to do for me. What do my thoughts have to do with going where you guide me and doing what you ask of me? That’s a good question. What kind of thoughts have hindered your ability to go and do what I have asked of you? In the past? Yes, in the past. In the past I have doubted that I could hear you. I have wondered if you were speaking to me. I wasn’t sure that I could know and do your will. I thought maybe I was alone in the world. Because I had these thoughts, I didn’t listen for your advice or seek your counsel. I wandered from one thing to another. I stumbled around in life. I made very little progress. I took one step forward and three steps back. What do you think now? Now, I know that I can hear your voice leading and guiding me through life. I am waiting for your instructions. I am following your advice. You are helping me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. So, you have put away these former thoughts. You are not dwelling on your past inability to hear my voice? No, I am not. That’s good.
What other thoughts have hindered your ability to go and do what I asked of you? I thought that everything depended on me. I thought, if something was going to be accomplished it would have to be my gifts and talents and abilities that would get it done. What do you think about these thoughts now? They are ridiculous. They are so limiting. They are completely paralyzing. What do you mean by that? With these thoughts I would never go and do what you asked of me. Why is that? You have always asked me to go and do what I cannot possibly do. You want me to rely on you working in and through me. You want to accomplish what only you can do in and through me. You want me to know without a doubt that what was accomplished was accomplished by your power and strength rather than by my own limited gifts, talents and abilities. That’s right. So, you put away these former thoughts. You are not dwelling on your past failures because you once relied solely on yourself? No, I am not. Are you ready for me to do new things? Are you ready for me to use your life in new ways? Yes Lord, I am. Then there is a way, that I will provide. I am ready to take that new way that you will provide. My heart and mind and eyes are open to what you want to do in and through my life. I’m glad to hear that from you.
Lord, I have had a hard time moving on from the past. I have dwelt on painful experiences. I have allowed the past to hinder me from being engaged in the present. Open my heart, mind and eyes to what you are doing now. Turn my barrenness into fruitfulness. Amen
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Wisdom – Isaiah 43-18-19 – A New Thing – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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