God so joyously works behind the scenes…. it’s like I can almost imagine the kind of smile He would have on His face… I can just imagine His knowing of what He has planned to do—such glorious plans—still so many secrets and surprises up His sleeves… and He has fashioned His plans in the most beautiful way…

How He surprises us… ?✨☀️

He’s the best at surprises, isn’t He? ?

I was drawn to Isaiah 43 this morning. Sometimes we need reminding of this,

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.”

Here it is in The Message translation:

When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place

43 ^1-4 But now, God’s Message,
    the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
    the One who got you started, Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
    I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
    When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
    it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
    The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
    all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
    That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
    trade the creation just for you.

^5-7 “So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.
    I’ll round up all your scattered children,
    pull them in from east and west.
I’ll send orders north and south:
    ‘Send them back.
Return my sons from distant lands,
    my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name,
    every man, woman, and child
Whom I created for my glory,
    yes, personally formed and made each one.’”

Isaiah 43:1:7, God says in the Passion Translation,

⁷ Bring me everyone who is called by my name,
    the ones I created to experience my glory.
    I myself formed them to be who they are
    and made them for my glory.”

If you’re reading this, then yes, this includes you!

It is His desire for this to include you…

Perhaps it’s the first time in your life that you feel that He’s calling your name, that He’s drawing you close… and yet somehow, suddenly you realize that He’s been with you, and that’s been calling you… all along. ?☀️

All this time…

“Return my sons from distant lands,
    my daughters from faraway places.
I want them back, every last one who bears my name,
    every man, woman, and child…”

He says,

    “I myself formed them to be who they are
    and made them for my glory.”

Thank You for calling us by name, Father. Thank You for drawing us close again. Thank You for restoring us! ??

And thank You for all of the surprises that You have in store for us—we can thank You in advance for these things, even if we have no idea what could be in store, because we know that You only have good surprises in store for those who love You. ?? We may not realize that certain things in our lives are “good” right now… but we know that You are good, and whatever You allow, whatever You take us through, we can confidently say that You will use for GOOD! And we will find JOY and HOPE as we wait upon You, even in the place of “unknown”. ?

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…”—Colossians 1:11 

Thank You, Father. ?

-Heather ?