“I am the Lord; there is no other god. I will give you the strength you need, although you do not know me. I do this so that everyone from one end of the world to the other may know that I am the Lord and that there is no other god. I create both light and darkness; I bring both blessing and disaster. I, the Lord, do all these things. I will send victory from the sky like rain; the earth will open to receive it and will blossom with freedom and justice. I, the Lord, will make this happen.” Isaiah 45:5-8

As I was reading Isaiah 45 in the Good News Translation, these verses jumped off the page as I felt the Lord addressing doubt and unbelief in my own thinking. Let me explain:

First of all, there is not one among us who doesn’t question God at some point in time. We’re always wondering what I call the 4 ‘W’s’; Where, what, when and why. I just like to know! I don’t think it’s wrong, but when it brings doubt and unbelief, that is where we muck up the water a bit.

These words were spoken to Cyrus the king because God had something intentional planned for his role as king. Verse 4 says, “I appoint you to help my servant Israel, the people that I have chosen. I have given you great honor, although you do not know me.”

We think we know the mind of God, to know His thoughts, plans and purposes. But if we did, there would be no room for trust or faith. Micah 4:12a says, But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord,
nor do they understand His counsel.

Every time you’re tempted to criticize someone for their actions or deeds, step aside and watch your own steps. We were each designed for a purpose and God alone knows what that is. If we would spend more time in communion with Him and doing what He asks us to do, we’d be much better off. Better to pray for others that they too would be faithful, than sit idly in front of your favorite media source passing judgement on those who are making an effort.

Remember that there is but one God and He has positioned each of us in His tapistry to add to His own design. Find your spot and do you. There’s only need for one Master Painter, so stop trying to be what you’re not. Trust His design, pray as He leads, do what He says and stop wasting time messing with His project.

Sandy G