Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-21
These verses aren’t my life verses…maybe they should be…
You see…
Most of my life I’ve been desperate for a word from God…
I’ve wanted to know His thoughts…
I want His input into my life…
I want to know His will…
Just being honest, I’ve probably spent more time wondering His will than I have obeying His will.
(I hope that doesn’t disappoint you…)
Sure, I know lots of His will I can obey everyday…right from the pages of His Word…
But, to know the will of the things not clearly outlined in Scripture…well…sometimes I’m left wondering…
I have learned this, however…
Many times God has to get my attention to get me to listen…
And then there’s…
Bread
Bread is pretty essential for survival. I’ve traveled lots of places…people love their bread. In San Francisco, they claim to have the best sour dough bread anywhere. Germany seemed to love their bread too. In Malta there was this bread of which I couldn’t get enough. Everywhere I’ve been, bread seems to be a staple. It’s a basic commodity.
Yet, God gives us the bread of adversity.
And then there’s…
Water
Everyone knows we can’t live long without water. There are whole ministries trying to provide water to people around the world, because people are dying without it. They say our city’s water has algae in it…or something like that…because of the heat. It’s supposedly safe to drink, but people are complaining. During my long training periods for running, when I start aching all over, I know I haven’t had enough water. Water is a critical commodity.
Yet, God gives us the water of affliction.
I don’t understand.
But, then the verse says, “your teachers will be hidden no more” …
“whether you turn to the right or to the left” …
“you ears will hear a voice behind you” …
“this is the way”…
That’s what I’m looking for, right?
Perhaps I’ve been looking at trials all the wrong way…
Perhaps trials bring me closer to the heart of God…
Perhaps a trial makes me desperate for my Creator…
Perhaps nothing like a trial produces in me a longing for God…
Perhaps God uses trials to show me His love…His provision…to teach and mold me…and to point me in the way I am to go…
Which is what I wanted in the first place…
I don’t know…just thinking…
What do you think?
I’ve written other thoughts on hearing the voice of God HERE.
