TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read: Isaiah 55:8-9
Listen: Isaiah 55
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Watching Jesus as he heals leads to some interesting observations. One is that he seldom heals in precisely the same way. We see him heal by touch (Mark 1:29-31) and with just a word (John 5:1-15). He heals when he is present (Matthew 8:1-4) and when he is not (John 4:43-54). He heals by using mud (John 9:1-7), and he heals in the middle of a disagreement (Matthew 12:1-13). Jesus doesn’t always react or respond in expected ways. It seems as if he responds differently to each person by doing “custom work.”
We may not understand why God does what he does. He is God, and we don’t know his mind. This is what the prophet Isaiah was reminding his readers when he recorded the words of the Lord, “Neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). God is personal, and we see that in how he interacts with people. This means we can’t compare. Because God does something for a friend doesn’t mean he will do the same thing for us. This doesn’t mean God doesn’t care because his Word tells us he does. It’s about trusting God and his timing. It means we allow him to be God as he does his “custom work” in our lives.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Pray this prayer of trust by filling in your specific request. “Father, I trust you with ___________________. Even though I don’t understand your timing or ways, I trust you because you are God. When I am anxious or frustrated, remind me of who you are and that you are constantly at work in this situation.”
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
May is SECRECY. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
