“Even your smallest and humblest family Will become as great as a powerful nation. When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly. I am the Lord!” Isaiah 60:22 GNT
It’s December already. The year flew by so fast. It was only yesterday when we said happy new year 2024.
We were hopeful and made plans about what we wanted to achieve. Dreams if success and we were determined this was our year for them to be fulfilled. Now the year is almost over and half or more of the things we wished to achieve have not been done.
We are anxious and low and hopeless. Feeling discouraged and degraded, questioning Oh Lord when is it my turn.
When we look around on and see our mom friends and strangers on social media they seem put and like the have it all. We question ourselves what about me?
Steps to hope renewed:
Wait on the Lord:
“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.” Isaiah 40:31 AMP
We make plans but we rely on God for them to be fulfilled.
“A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.” Proverbs 16:9 AMP
Our plans and timing is not Gods plans and timing.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts. “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, Making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater,” Isaiah 55:8-10 AMP
God has good plans for us.
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 AMP
God created seasons.
Seasons only last for that time.
“Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years;” Genesis 1:14 AMP
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven— He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, :11 AMP
Spend more time in prayer and reading Gods word. Praise and worship often.
“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMP
Pray and Ask God for wisdom, direction and guidance in your daily walk.
“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6 AMP
Follow His lead.
Listen to the Holy Spirit in your life even when it doesn’t make sense to you. Ask God at the beginning of your day or journey to be CEO of whatever you do.
Abraham left his home without a plan following God’s direction:
“Now [in Haran] the Lord had said to Abram, “Go away from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; So Abram departed [in faithful obedience] as the Lord had directed him; and Lot [his nephew] left with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had acquired, and the people (servants) which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,” Genesis 12:1, 4-5 AMP
“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 AMP
Joseph & Jonah are more examples of people who left there homes without a plan. Even though it took Jonah a little more prompting.
“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” John 14:26 AMP
Abraham and Isaac. “When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood, and bound Isaac his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He answered, “Here I am.” The Lord said, “Do not reach out [with the knife in] your hand against the boy, and do nothing to [harm] him; for now I know that you fear God [with reverence and profound respect], since you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son [of promise].”” Genesis 22:9-12 AMP
Sarah laughs but ends up giving birth in old age:
“So Sarah laughed to herself [when she heard the Lord’s words], saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure and delight, my Lord (husband) being also old?” Genesis 18:12 AMP “The Lord graciously remembered and visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for her as He had promised. So Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.” Genesis 21:1-2 AMP
Have faith like a mustard seed.
“He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 AMP
Speak God’s Word into your situation. Standing on His word and the Holy Spirit will remind you of the things you read. Matthew 4:1-11.
Your attitude when things are hard matters. The Shumamite woman and her son.
“I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:10 AMP
The Shunammite Woman (Her son had just died. She didn’t cry or complain just asked to see the prophet and her husband asked why. She said it is well. She went ahead and met Elisha servant. He asked what’s wrong, she said it is well. Only when she reached the prophet. The one she knew had a Big God who fixes everything is when she broke down). Our attitude in the midst of problems matters. Where do we find out solace when trouble comes? Get closer to Jesus.
“Then she called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so that I may run to the man of God and return.” He said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.” And she said, “It will be all right.” Please run now to meet her and ask her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “It is well.” When she came to the mountain to the man of God, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away; but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is desperate and troubled within her; and the Lord has hidden the reason from me and has not told me.”” 2 Kings 4:22-23, :26-27 AMP
Ask for help from others you trust.
God leads you to the right people. Surround yourself with good company. Mamas who love God.
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”” 1 Corinthians 15:33 AMP
Give to others in need.
“So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already]have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:2-4 AMP
“So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).” Galatians 6:10 AMP
“Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].” 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP
“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 AMP
And don’t forget tithes and offerings.
“‘And all the tithe (tenth part) of the land, whether the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30 AMP
Live a righteous life.
Following or walking in the purpose God has set out for you.
“Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you with all your household, for you [alone] I have seen as righteous (doing what is right) before Me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1 AMP
Do things for God expecting nothing in return. Do things cheerfully. He will bless you. Ask the Lord to teach you.
“Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness],” Philippians 2:14-15 AMP
“So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP
Remember joy, peace and patience are a gift from God. We should ask Him for them. He will give to us if we love Him.
“And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it. “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.” John 14:13-15 AMP
When you can’t anymore ask God, for He gives us His strength when we fail. And tops our strength as our strength alone is vanity.
Ask God for His rest (calm mind) and His strength and for Him to open your eyes so that you can see Heavens Fire Armies fighting for you.
“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” John 14:27 AMP
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.” Philippians 4:6 AMP
“And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP
Following His ways.
Shalom and Thank you, Jesus,
Natasha Chetty.
