The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Saturday, 16 June 2018 "A New Dream" by Belle Todd (Texas) Isaiah 43:14-21

(Image: Pixabay)

The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Saturday, 16 June 2018 "A New Dream" by Belle Todd (Texas) Isaiah 43:14-21
The Lord says, “Behold, I will do a new thing.” (Isaiah 43:19 (KJV))
The job opportunity of my dreams had practically fallen into my lap. It would be a way to use my talents and to earn an income. But trouble arose from the start, and it did not work out as I had hoped; the door closed in my face. I was hurt and disappointed and found myself unable to let go. I wanted to pry the door back open and make this job work. After all, this was my dream!
We often find ourselves at such a crossroads — a lost job, the end of a marriage, the death of a loved one — and all our dreams seem to go up in smoke. We stand looking back at the rubble and long for what might have been.
During this difficult time, God gently reminded me of Isaiah 43. The Israelites needed to forget what lay behind. God was doing something new for them, and God wanted 
to do something new for me. I just had to stop looking back. As I let these words from Isaiah soak into my mind and heart, I was able to take a step forward.
Before I knew it, other job opportunities opened up and I began to get excited once more. God was giving me new dreams. I just had to turn and face the right direction — toward God.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for never leaving us stuck in the past. Give us new dreams and new beginnings. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 43:14 Here is what Adonai, your redeemer,
the Holy One of Isra’el, says:
“For your sake I have sent [an army] to Bavel
and knocked down the fleeing Kasdim, all of them;
their songs of triumph are now lamentations.
15 I am Adonai, your Holy One,
the Creator of Isra’el, your King.”
16 Here is what Adonai says,
who made a way in the sea,
a path through the raging waves;
17 who led out chariot and horse,
the army in its strength —
they lay down, never to rise again,
snuffed out and quenched like a wick:
18 “Stop dwelling on past events
and brooding over times gone by;
19 I am doing something new;
it’s springing up — can’t you see it?
I am making a road in the desert,
rivers in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches;
because I put water in the desert,
rivers in the wasteland,
for my chosen people to drink,
21 the people I formed for myself,
so that they would proclaim my praise. (Complete Jewish Bible).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: When I turn toward God, I can find a new beginning.
PRAYER FOCUS: Someone who has lost a job
***