“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19, ESV).
The old that used to hold us back, does not have to be a part of our lives anymore. God loves us, and loves to do new things in our situation. Not necessarily moving us out of our situation, but helping us in our situation to have victory. Nothing is impossible for God.
Our loving, miracle-working God will make a way, and provide the refreshing that we need. God gives us victory.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, ESV).
We live from the victory that Jesus won on the cross. Praise God! God’s victory, and all glory to God.
As children of God, saved and redeemed by Jesus when we received Christ Jesus as our Saviour, we enjoy the privilege to see God work miracles in situations. All for our good and the good of others.
Some things in our fallen world just need to change for our good and that of others; these things that are destructive and harmful, and not how God intended for it to be. In Romans 12:21 we are reminded, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (ESV). God loves us, and loves to give us good things. In times of needed change, we need God’s wisdom to do it. When God’s sons and daughters are positioned in these places of need and influence, and surrender to God, reaching out for His help; people are helped.
We might think how could this particular situation ever change; it is far too complex. We may have started taking steps to make these changes for good, letting God lead us every step, and come across challenges along the way. It is not easy when you are in the middle of it, and cannot see the end yet, but God is still working.
I have had times when I felt I had no option but to give up, I felt empty with nothing left to give. It seemed no matter how hard I was trying, no progress was being made. But, God can help. God wants to help us. The answer in those times of thinking that the only option is to give up, is to go to God for help; He wants to refresh us. We need Him to refresh us, and it is a good thing to depend on Him; we are not expected to do things in our own strength. God will refresh you and strengthen you. God can give us new ideas, and a new perspective on the place where God has placed us. I encourage myself and you to not give up, hide away or run away, but instead to stand firm, sign-up and get involved. If you think about it, any assignment gets done one step at a time; we are progressing by taking one step at a time. I keep encouraging myself that the results are in God’s care; God protects and provides.
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3, ESV).
God builds us up, and refreshes us to keep taking one step at a time.
God can do more than we could ever imagine; He “… is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, …” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV). God has a plan for each of us, which is better than we could ever imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).
There are such awesome things that we do not even know to ask for.
I am grateful for God’s plans, and in our surrender to Him, we can be excited to see God’s plans for each of us prevail, as He helps us.
God has equipped each of us. We are “…one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:5-6, ESV). What I need to do is different to what you need to do. No-one is more important than anyone else (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). God works in the lives of ordinary people like you and I, and He does extraordinary things. There are no limits to what God can do. Sometimes we may look to the wrong place to be refreshed, that only leads to disappointment. Jesus explained to a dear lady near a water well, who desperately needed Him, in John 4:13-14, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (ESV). God is faithful, powerful, and could work in your situation, to do even more than anyone could ever imagine. We must let Him lead us. We “are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11, ESV).
The Holy Spirit empowers us, He anoints us.
In Luke 4:18 we read, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,” (NIV).
The truth sets us free (John 8:32). As we enjoy time reading the Word of God, we are refreshed. I challenge myself to remember that I need to be refreshed daily. God is full of grace and mercy, and His mercies are new each morning (Lamentations 3:23). “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8, ESV). We must not shy away from taking the next step into all God has for us, because a part of us is afraid if we do not do it perfectly. Perfection is not required; we just need to be available. We can have a fresh start every day, and live in freedom. God has a beautiful way of meeting you where you are at, and even if feeling weary, He encourages you to trust Him and keep moving while He guides and strengthens you in His plan for you. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV).
We can rest in His presence, and enjoy all He gives us. In God’s “…presence there is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11, ESV). In us coming to God, He refreshes us. We have fullness; lacking nothing.
God’s love for each of us is like no other, and we are refreshed in His love.
A part of Paul’s prayer for spiritual strength, for the Ephesians and applies to us today, is that they are to be “…rooted and grounded in love” (Ephesians 3:17, ESV), and to “…know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19, ESV).
We receive God’s love and all the fullness of God; refreshed and empowered to actively love others, making the difference God has planned for us to, in this world that needs God. I encourage you to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, ESV). I also encourage myself to do the same. It is all for God’s glory. I want to be filled with God’s fullness, refreshed and ready to go. God is the One who makes a way and refreshes us.
Prayer
Dear Father God,
Mighty Creator of the heavens and earth; our loving, miracle-working Heavenly Father.
Thank-You for Your grace and mercy; we can have a fresh start, with Your new mercies every day.
Thank-You that because of You, “I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1, NIV). You are the One who “…refreshes my soul…” (Psalm 23:3, NIV), and renews my strength (Isaiah 40:31). I need You God, every day and night. I am grateful that I can keep reaching out to You; I do not want to try do things in my own strength. Thank-you for refreshing me and strengthening me.
I welcome You to guide me Holy Spirit. Thank-You for anointing me God, and leading me forward in the exciting plan You have for unique me. Ephesians 2:10 applies to me too, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT). I am created anew. Thank-You that Your special plan for my life will prevail, and for Your miracle-working power in my life where I need it; You make a way for me. I am so grateful for Your amazing love.
In Jesus Name, Amen.