Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 5, 2016
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8
One afternoon many years ago as I walked through the front doors of my favorite grocery store in Colorado Springs, my heart was heavy. I feel so alone, I thought. My friend, Judi, had died unexpectedly days before from a brain aneurysm and my friend, Gene, had died the month before. When I reached the checkout, I made small talk with the woman in front of me. “This weather is really great, huh?” I scanned the beautiful Rocky Mountains out the large picture windows. “Yes, it’s awesome. I moved here last year, and I love it.” She smiled and rolled away her cart. I found a seat where I could quietly eat my lunch. Loneliness engulfed me.
As I stood to put away my plate, the woman from the checkout approached me. “You were really nice to talk to me, but the Lord wants me to tell you something.” She gently placed her hands on my shoulders and turned me to face her. “He wants you to know that you are not alone and that He hears you.” Tears of relief and gratitude rolled down my cheeks. What a gracious and kind Lord we have! He was giving me His love through a stranger. She went on. “I believe He also wants you to know He is going to put your feet on a new foundation. I don’t know what that means, but be open to change.” We hugged, I cried some more, and she walked away.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’” (Isaiah 52:7)!
As I drove home, I pondered these things in my heart. It seemed God was confirming what I had been sensing for several months. God is going to do something new. If change meant emotional and spiritual relief, I was ready because I was in an in-between place brought on the deaths of my friends and other life changes. As it turned out, within a matter of months, I had moved away from Colorado Springs and within a year, I met my husband. How faithful the Lord is!
Maybe you feel like you are in an in-between place. An in-between place is when you have let go of the old, and you are ready to embrace the new thing God has for you. Perhaps you have let go of a job, home, a friendship, dream, or calling, and you are wondering what’s next. Rest assured. Just like the woman in the grocery store told me, He is telling you:
“I hear you. You are not alone. Behold! I do a new thing” (Isaiah 43:18-19)!
Prayer
Lord, thank you that I can trust you even though you haven’t revealed my new thing yet. I know that it’s coming and you are orchestrating the events of my life because you are always at work in the lives of your children. Help me to wait patiently by faith. I love you. Amen.Application
Make a timeline of your life on a piece of paper and mark all the times when you have been in an in-between place, then remember God’s faithfulness.Related Reading
Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 40:31; Lamentations 3:25; Proverbs 3:5-6Post/Tweet today
Let go of the old, and embrace the new thing God has for you. #GodIsAlwaysAtWork #WisdomHuntersWorship Resource
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Crazy that this is today’s devotion. It is the first time I have ever went to their website for a daily devotion and I am in the middle of the biggest “in Between Place” of my life.
Dear Ryan,
WOW! Thank you for letting us know that this devotional “happened to find it’s way to you” just at the time it needed to find you!!! That is awesome and we love the fact that it is the first time you have been to our website. Love that!!
It is no accident that those words were put right in front of you at this time. It is “crazy” but it is “SO GOD”!!!!!!! He has so much to tell us, if we just listen. And His Timing is Perfect!
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Please know that I will share your comments with Shana, the devotional’s author. However, we all know (including Shana) WHO the real author is!
Thank you Ryan. It is always a blessing to see God working in someone’s life. Let us know how things progress for you down the road when you are moving out of the “in Between Place”. We will be excited to hear!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:20
I have been impatiently waiting for my new direction…you see, my husband of 38 years went home to be with Jesus, its been two years now. I was just a girl of 16 when I ran off and married my high school sweetheart and I have walked this life by his side nearly all my days. I feel a profound sense of aloneness, but like I am being washed of something so that the new thing can be.
Mr. Bailey has on many occasion brought a message to me that I know He wants me to hear. This is one of them. I cried tears of joy when I read it because Father is so sweet. He is reassuring me. He keeps telling me “not to be afraid”, as well ?
Dear Kim,
Thank you for sharing your sweet story. I am sorry that your husband passed away two years ago, but I rejoice in the fact you married your sweetheart and were together for so long. I am so thankful you know our Heavenly Father, the Great Comforter and Mighty Redeemer! Kim, I love that you KNOW and BELIEVE that He is walking beside you, reassuring you and giving you the strength you need. Thank you Father!
“Fear Not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41: 10
We are thankful that you have been blessed by the Wisdom Hunter devotionals that Boyd Bailey has written in the past. This particular devotional, “Are You in An In Between Place?” was written by one of our guest writers, Shana Schutte. Both Boyd and Shana give all the glory to God! Kim, aren’t you amazed (and overwhelmed with gratitude) when our Father places the words He wants us to see at the very time we need to see them? In His Perfect Time.
Please let us know how you are doing in the days ahead as He guides and directs you “in the new thing” He has planned for you.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
We are grateful that you are part of the Wisdom Hunter’s family and look forward to hearing from you again.
Blessings,
Gwynne
“Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.”
Psalm 16:1