Devotional--Plans, Part II

Isaiah 55:6-12

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
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  Think about how long it might take for a snowflake to make it to the sea.  It may sit on the top of a mountain for years before it finally melts and trickles down into a stream, slowly cascading down to a river, then to the ocean.  It may take decades in some cases.

  I'd always loved this passage and the reminder that God's thought and wisdom are not my own, but the more I read it I am amazed by the instruction about how God's plans will not be denied--God will accomplish what he has set out to accomplish.  God is willing to wait and let things develop.

  When we think about what God is doing in our life, when we make plans for spiritual growth, how far out do you look?  Do you realize that God is going to be working on you for your entire life, that God isn't going to give up on or abandon you at all, ever?  The Holy Spirit will be at work within you forever, so when you think about plans for how you want to grow spiritually, do not get frustrated when they are not met within six months.  God may take six years or six decades, but he will achieve his purpose through you.

  Let us set our vision long-term, and think about the kind of people we are becoming over our entire lives, rather than just focusing on today and the immediate, pressing demands of now!  May we recognize the importance of growing slowly, and not be disappointed when we haven't achieved everything our heart desires within the next three days!  Be patient, and let the Lord do a mighty work through you.

Blessings