Stubborn Israel, stubborn me

It just so happens that I woke up today feeling very much discouraged in regard to trip plans. Sigh. It goes up, it goes down. I'm not sharing too many details right now, but it's one of those things that could either go on as planned, or crash altogether. And the fact is, I'm tired of pouring myself into possibilities where I feel certain He's leading, only to have it shoot back down. Another fact is, though, that I can see only what is right in front of me. From my view, it sure doesn't look good. But God sees something totally different. He can work all things. Maybe I need to keep faith, give Him time? Don't I trust that God can make something great out of nothing? Oh me of little faith...

Like He so often does, He spoke to my heart through His Word. So here are some [jumbled] notes from reading in Isaiah 48 this morning.

Stubborn Israel [I appreciate the to-the-point title of this chapter. That's actually what this section's called in Scripture!]

You who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel - the Lord Almighty is His name: I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted and they came to pass. For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'my images have brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.' You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them?

- I in no way desire to add or take away from Scripture, or change His Word. But as I read this portion, I had to take my mind off of where I am at present. Instead of considering the road-blocks of right now, to imagine when His plan is fulfilled. I can almost hear Him saying, "Megan, you say you follow Me - I am the Lord Almighty. (almost like a reminder - 'also, I'm God. I can do all things!') I planned this out a long time ago, before you were born - I am the one that acted and brought it to pass. I know you are stubborn, and, like having a neck of iron, you wanted a path straight in front of you. You didn't want to move side to side - you wanted it set. But I told you I'd take care of this and complete my will, so that you couldn't depend on other things to get you there. You know this. Take a good look at all this. Admit this.

It goes on...

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.

[It's a lot harder to cringe at this confusion when looking at it as refining me for Him....]

Israel Freed [thank goodness...I was sure hoping there was a rescue!]

I am He; I am the first and I am the last. {PERIOD.}
My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together. 

-Just a mind blowing thought: If God so chose, well, He could even make the continents stand side by side. And I'm doubting ways to get there....He's reminding me: HE IS ABLE.

...I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.

-When God calls somebody to something, He fulfills that purpose.

...This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 

{He goes on to tell them to obey His commands, & leave wicked Babylon. Then to go out and proclaim everywhere that God has redeemed His servant Jacob!}

It's hard to put all this into words. But I see my stubbornness, & I see His strength & might in these victories so long ago, and I know He still works today. Each section of this chapter is breaking down barriers as it seemed like God was bullet-pointing big notes for me. Maybe you too? Whatever it is that we are waiting for His guidance on, it's good to step back and be reminded who we're putting our faith in. To be reminded that He is the God who directs us in the way we should go. And like the children of Isreal when they obeyed His commands, we too can be freed.