Isaiah 46: 10-11 -Journey While Cemented
Step 1: Pray. Select.
As I sat down to select my scripture for my time with the Holy Spirit today, I thought about a quote I heard in Church this past week. His “purpose is in the process.”
The Holy Spirit wanted me to examine this phrase from the perspective of being excited about the journey rather than the destination. Every day, God shapes and builds us little by little so that we can succeed in carrying out his will.
As I looked for scriptures relevant to the theme, I came across Isaiah 46:10-11.
Let’s begin our journey there today, friends.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
Isaiah 46:10-11 - Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, declaring the end from the beginning, who executes My counsel, I have spoken it, bring it to pass, purposed it, will also do it.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
As I begin to meditate on the words in the Holy Spirit's sentence, I am shown a vision of myself sitting on a slope of a cement river bed. I cannot tell where this river bed is located geographically, and cannot see what lies above the tall, slanted concrete walls. I can tell it is slightly dry, windy, and dusty on the top where the city's surface is, but anything beyond that remains a mystery since I cannot see or feel additional elements from where I am sitting towards the bottom of the riverbed.
I am acutely aware of my clothing in this vision. I am in all black, which makes me stand out like a sore thumb amongst the white cement walls that dwarf me in comparison. I am wearing a black T-shirt, black jeans, and black shoes. My hair is even darker than my usual brown caramel color. It is me, but a more unrefined, edgy version of me. I have clearly been through something. I didn’t just get here overnight. In fact, I may have lived down here for quite some time.
As I sit here, I am packing my bag and know I must move soon. I have to pick a direction to climb out of the V-shaped ditch. It almost feels like a trap if I go to the surface. If I choose one way, there could be danger on top; however, if I choose another, will someone greet me and show me around or provide a next step? The Holy Spirit tells me that as long as I move, there will be beauty and grace in the process. The answers will unfold as long as I look and listen for Him.
God has made clear that I need to move and can’t stay down here forever. He warned me that eventually, the rain would come, and he would send a flood. So, the very spot I am sitting now will be washed away, and if I stay, I might even die down here.
So I stand up, throw my bag over my shoulder, and ask God to guide and protect me no matter what path I choose, where my path may lead, or what I encounter. One thing is for sure, like Elijah’s time in the valley of Mount Horeb, as his stay ended when God determined it was time to move him, the LORD is calling me to rise out from the solitude and reveal all that he has created me to be. The rest will take care of itself, as he clearly states in my sentence and verse for today:
Indeed, I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it.
A question arises, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, how did I get in this ditch to begin with?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“You got lost and knew as long as you followed the water, you would always be provided for. But now that we have spent time together in solitude, and you understand that you should rely only on me, I am finished remolding you for this time and season of your life. You have now been cemented to me from the inside out, and it is time for you to go back to the world to shake up the atmosphere in my name instead of the atmosphere shaking and shifting you, which is what knocked you into this ditch. I have sent things to sway you while you have been hidden away, but your roots have grown strong, cemented in me, and immovable. Let your branches climb to places I put on your path, but never forget your foundation, your roots underground, so even if a flood comes, you will indeed remain sturdy and not be swayed. I have been cemented into the core of your soul, so everything flowing from you will be of me. It is time to stretch and carry out my plans without fear or hesitation.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you through your son Jesus. As I bravely and boldly step out of my comfort zone and go where you tell me, I remain firm in your counsel and direction. Let me commit to a direction and trust that you will make all my crooked paths straight if something is not meant for my life. Help me to see you in all people, situations, and circumstances I encounter on my journey, and most of all, help me to always let faith overpower fear of the unknown.
I ask this boldly today, in the mighty name of Jesus - Amen!
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear about how God is working in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, let’s pack our bags and prepare to spread our branches beyond what we think we can reach.
Let us be bold and confident that if we resort to his wise counsel, He will always make our crooked paths straight.
As our heavenly Father calls us into the unknown, let us be reminded that He has determined our end from the very beginning.
Most importantly, let's continue to spend time with the LORD, no matter how busy life gets, for he is the cement and the glue that holds us together and gives us the strength to carry out his will.
Be bold today, friends. God bless you. See you soon!
