FULL LIFE in EMPTY PLACES

 March 3, 2023

Isaiah 58:11

I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places – firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.


The word on the street is that Joy is found in doing what matters to us, in getting the desires of our hearts. Peace and meaning are found in pursuing and conquering our dreams. These are the daily messages I encounter, social media is loaded up with influencers who say something similar, take time to appreciate yourself; remove your own barriers to happiness. Spend time looking inwards and build your self-esteem.

This mantra that drives our lives sounds good. Yet, this pursuit, in the words of Ecclesiastes 2:11, is a “chasing after the wind.” It is a road that leads to pride, despair, suffering, and quarrelling.

Isaiah 58 tells us that when we chase our dreams instead of God’s purposes, we cut ourselves off from real joy. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” The message here is that real Joy is found in surrendering to the way of the Spirit, trusting all of life to our Creator with the confidence and assurance that God will lead us “by still waters” and “make us lie down in green pastures”.

God makes everything beautiful. God will sustain us, despite everything, even when we make mistakes and follow our own ways. God’ promise is “I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places – firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

This may be why elsewhere in scripture we here that “the Joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Let us live in this strength!

LET US PRAY

God, teach us what is important to you. Help us to let go of a “chasing after the wind” and fill us with yourself. We want to live the “full life” you promise where Your joy is our Strength.” Amen.

Here is a song that captures today's message and a great way to end our devotions this week.