Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Isaiah 49:19 (NIV)
“Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste, now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.”
Isaiah 49:19 (MSG)
“And your ruined land? Your devastated, decimated land? Filled with more people than you know what to do with! And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory.”
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“For your ruins and desolate places and your land [once the scene] of destruction—Certainly now [in the coming years] will be too cramped for the inhabitants, and those who once engulfed you will be far away.” -AMPLIFIED
“As the LORD brings the sons of Zion back to Israel, they will fill the land in a glorious way.” ~David Guzik
In yesterday’s passage, we found Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, instructing Israel to snap out of their depression and self-pity. Instead, they were to “Look up and see what He was already doing for them.”
“Your children, your builders, are running back to you
as those who ruined and destroyed you are running away.
Lift up your head and look all around you.
See! All your children, your builders, gather to come back to you.
As surely as I live, I make this promise,” says Yahweh.
“You will wear them all like jewels,
as a radiant bride wears her beautiful jewelry!” -Isaiah 49:17-18 (The Passion Translation)
In today’s text, we find God begin to unfold for Israel His plans and the blessings that He has in store for them.
“The city’s growth is cited as an unmistakable sign of Yahweh’s grace.” ~Watts
“Because of all of your destroyed land—the barren fields and abandoned farms—you are now too small, too cramped for all your citizens; and those who tried to swallow you whole will be far, far away.” -(VOICE)
God tells Israel that even the most ravaged and devastated areas of their homeland will soon be full of people. The ruins and devastated places would soon be overcrowded with returning families. And their enemies, their tormentors, they would be far, far away, nowhere to be found.
In fact, God tells Israel that their homeland will be too small to contain them all. His blessings will be more than the land will be able to contain.
Jeremiah too prophesied of Israel’s time of captivity, and the end of that captivity. In God’s Message in the book of Jeremiah, we find this reminder to God’s people that His plans are for good, not evil. His intention is to restore peace and well-being, not disaster. God’s Message to Israel:
“The truth is this: You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised and bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. Yes, says the Lord, I will be found by you, and I will end your slavery and restore your fortunes; I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you back home again to your own land.” -Jeremiah 29:10-14 (TLB)
“Even the most desolate parts of your abandoned land shall soon be crowded with your people, and your enemies who enslaved you shall be far away.” -(TLB)
“For your ruined and ravaged places, and your land laid waste,” by the king of Assyria, “shall now be too small for your inhabitants, despite the departure of your devourers.” The devourers, the oppressors, were thrown out, the ravagers gotten rid of, and now, in that Promised land you’re multiplying and people are returning, so much, that the original Promised land is too small. Then, what do you do? You spread abroad.” ~Avraham Gileadi
God’s desire is to bless us, His Word tells us so. Take note:
1.) In Deuteronomy, Moses told the people of Israel the need to be obedient to God in order to experience His blessings:
“If you fully obey all of these commandments of the Lord your God, the laws I am declaring to you today, God will transform you into the greatest nation in the world. These are the blessings that will come upon you: Blessings in the city, Blessings in the field; Many children, Ample crops, Large flocks and herds; Blessings of fruit and bread; Blessings when you come in, Blessings when you go out.” -Deuteronomy 28:1-6 (TLB)
2.) Jeremiah reminds us that those who trusts in God will be blessed like a very fruitful tree.
“But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that he can be trusted.
He will be strong, like a tree planted near water. That tree has large roots that find the water.
It is not afraid when the days are hot. Its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year when no rain comes. That tree always produces fruit.” -Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ICB)
3.) The Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesians the God Himself is a blessing, and He has good things planned for us.
“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” -Ephesians 1:3-6
4.) James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes to us from the Father.
“Every good gift bestowed, every perfect gift received comes to us from above, courtesy of the Father of lights. He is consistent. He won’t change His mind or play tricks in the shadows. We have a special role in His plan. He calls us to life by His message of truth so that we will show the rest of His creatures His goodness and love.” -James 1:17-18 (VOICE)
We need to understand, and take to heart something that Solomon taught us:
“True enrichment comes from the blessing of the Lord, with rest and contentment in knowing
that it all comes from him.” -Proverbs 10:22 (The Passion Translation)
“God will not permit any troubles to come upon us, unless He has a specific plan by which great blessing can come out of the difficulty.” ~Peter Marshall
My friend, we all experience difficult circumstances in our lives. But do not think that God has forgotten you, or given up on you. We need to always remember that His intentions towards us are to bring blessing, to show His goodness and His grace. Remember His promises, every one of them, and do not be afraid to remind Him of them as well. Start looking for His blessings, and give Him thanks for them all.
“The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; the Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).” -Numbers 6:24-26 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
My Prayer:
Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, you have promised to pour out your blessings on those who are obedient to do your will. Remind me of this promise, even when to my physical eyes, things look chaotic, impossible, and insurmountable. Your Word tells me that your intentions are for good, not evil, that you want to bring blessing. So, Lord, I ask that you help me be alert and on the lookout for those blessings. Help me to see them, recognize them, and praise you for them. For I know, every good and perfect gift comes from you. You are the Good, Good Father. I thank you for all your many blessings. I love you, Papa.
Growing with God 