We were in a stage of life when our current home was becoming too small for our growing family of five. So, we began looking for a home that we could afford and that would meet our needs.  It was almost a year after looking, making offers, and being turned down, that we finally found what we thought was perfect for us.  It was a new construction in an area close to our jobs.  We would get to choose the color schemes of the inside.  We were approved and the offer made was accepted—until it wasn’t.  Overnight, another buyer made a better offer and took the home we had helped to design away from us!  Although heartbroken, God spoke to our hearts and told us that wasn’t the house for us.  He had better plans.

The next day our realtor told us that a houses around the corner was available and wanted us to see if this house would meet our needs.  As soon as we saw it from the curb, we knew this was God’s best for us!  We walked through the house that had a floor plan that fit us perfectly.  We knew this was home—God’s best for us for this time in our lives.  That’s how God works for us.  What we learned from this house dilemma was to always trust God to work it all out.  We were reminded to lean into His understanding, not ours, for He knows what lies ahead for us and He wants what is best for us—His children who believe in Him.

“This is what God’s servants can expect. I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.” God’s Decree.

Isaiah 54, The Message

Spread Out! Think Big!

^1-6 “Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby.
    Fill the air with song, you who’ve never experienced childbirth!
You’re ending up with far more children
    than all those childbearing women.” God says so!
“Clear lots of ground for your tents!
    Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!
Use plenty of rope,
    drive the tent pegs deep.
You’re going to need lots of elbow room
    for your growing family.
You’re going to take over whole nations;
    you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.
Don’t be afraid—you’re not going to be embarrassed.
    Don’t hold back—you’re not going to come up short.
You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth,
    and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.

For your Maker is your bridegroom,
    his name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!
Your Redeemer is The Holy of Israel,
    known as God of the whole earth.
You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief,
    and God welcomed you back,
Like a woman married young
    and then left,” says your God.

^7-8 Your Redeemer God says:

“I left you, but only for a moment.
    Now, with enormous compassion, I’m bringing you back.
In an outburst of anger I turned my back on you—
    but only for a moment.
It’s with lasting love
    that I’m tenderly caring for you.

^9-10 “This exile is just like the days of Noah for me:
    I promised then that the waters of Noah
    would never again flood the earth.
I’m promising now no more anger,
    no more dressing you down.
For even if the mountains walk away
    and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won’t walk away from you,
    my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.”
    The God who has compassion on you says so.

^11-17 “Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied:
    I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
Lay your foundations with sapphires,
    construct your towers with rubies,
Your gates with jewels,
    and all your walls with precious stones.
All your children will have God for their teacher—
    what a mentor for your children!
You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness,
    far from any trouble—nothing to fear!
    far from terror—it won’t even come close!

If anyone attacks you,
    don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them,
And if any should attack,
    nothing will come of it.
I create the blacksmith
    who fires up his forge
    and makes a weapon designed to kill.
I also create the destroyer—
    but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.
Any accuser who takes you to court
    will be dismissed as a liar.
This is what God’s servants can expect.
    I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
        God’s Decree.

Lord,

You have spent my lifetime teaching me that you are always at work, the you perform miracles in our eyes that are simple tasks in your power.  Thank you for all you have done, are doing still and will do so we will know you more, while growing in our relationship with you.  Thank you for your patience, compassion, and relentless love for us.  Thank you for redeeming us by forgiving our sins, dear Jesus.  Thank you for always being with us.

In Jesus Name, Amen