Isaiah 49:23 promises us that "Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame."
MMMMMMMM....let that soak in and settle in the core of your spirit...As we hopefully wait for GOD, WE WILL NOT be put to shame!
I recently came through one of the most gruelling battles of my life; the season was darker than the years I suffered abuse and lonelier than the season following my divorce. I had never felt more alone, more forsaken, more abandoned, or helpless. Satan threw every weapon he had to test my faith, tried to confuse me through my circumstances, and weight me with one battle after another...I wanted to pull myself up and press on but some days were so dark I simply just didn't have it in me. A heavy fog hovered all around me, undetected by others, but on some days, I literally felt as if I wouldn't be able to see my hand, even if I put it directly in front of my face.
(Ever been there? It ISN'T fun!)
But through it all, I held fast to the TRUTH OF WHO GOD IS. I reminded myself of His Character, His Power, and His Intent towards me.
Friends, throughout all of the battle, the truth I held fast to was that GOD IS GOOD, HE LOVES ME, and He works ALL things together for my good...
"Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame."
2011 holds such promise! And over the last couple of weeks I sense great victory! I sense a great awakening in my spirit and feel that GOD is well pleased with me...He has once again crushed the enemy...thwarted all Satan's evil plots...and empowered me to triumph over every weapon formed against me! AND I AM CONFIDENT...HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!
So, hold fast to Him, wait for Him with hope, you will NOT be put to shame!
PRAYER: Father, thank You for fulfilling Your promises. Thank You that the cloud has lifted. Thank You for being my defender. I ask that You would invade our circumstances with Your presence and that by Your power You would annihilate our enemies. Give us the victory. We put our hope in You and wait patiently for you. Thank You that we will NOT be put to shame. We love You with all we have. In Jesus name, amen.
Julie... I think we were cut from the same mold. Abuse, insecurity, a craving for affirmation....periods of great oppression... Little One, God brought us together in Denver for a reason... I share your posts all the time. A very special friend who has been enduring great oppression in the last few months is now reading your posts every day and is greatly encouraged by them - even shares them herself.
ReplyDeleteGod is using you! Have no doubt!
I, too, had breakthrough recently. Thought I was going through seasonal depression, kept waiting for it to pass. Feeling anxious when it didn't. As I look back, I see it as a breaking... an answer to my prayers to surrender. Glad He's faithful to "pick up the pieces" and mold us into His image :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these words. It is amazing to see the strength in women that reflects the characteristics of God. Writing about things such a this, is freeing for those that haven't gathered that strength yet.
ReplyDeleteWow Susan, your encouragement nearly took my breath away. Thank you. I praise God for taking every broken part and using it for His Glory. Are you planning on going to the conference again in Feb?
ReplyDeleteBetty, love you and so glad I get to see you each week. You are such an amazing woman of God. Looking forward to ministering with you!
Gia, Thank you for your words of affirmation. So glad to have you part of our family on His Love Extended. Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments any time! :)
Going through a tough struggle, and this verse encouraged me. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteGirl, that makes me hurt for you because, yes, I definitely do know how that feels. So glad you held onto God's unchanging hand...with white knuckles, I'm sure. Bless you, precious! I can't wait to hear what God lays on your heart to share with us at Faithful Feet next week! I will email you this weekend to remind you of the specifics of that, but just wanted to pop in and let you know you are always on my heart and in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteAmen, we serve a faithful God and we can trust him to see us thru our darkest moments. All things work for our good, even things we don't understand. praying for you:)
ReplyDeleteGood to know it wasn't just me! The end of 2010 was sluggish! Looking forward to my 21 Day Journey - Made to Crave - 21 Days to Relationship! As I control the time-stealers in my life, I will pursue relationship with Father God like I've never experienced. Looking forward to the end result! Thanks for the encouragement!
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