28 Days of Gratitude: Day 3
“Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, ‘God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me’?” (Isaiah 40:27 MSG)
A woman recently wrote into the ministry and said she no longer had faith. The way she put it is, “I feel unseen and unheard by God, and I honestly don’t feel like He loves me.”
Reading that pierced my heart, and I prayed sincerely that God would reassure her. At one point, Israel felt abandoned too, which is why the prophet Isaiah was trying to help them see that God did in fact love and care for them.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Just to give you a bit of context, Isaiah, whose name means the salvation of Jehovah, or the Lord saves, wrote this book during a time when Assyrian invaders expanded their territory and power, and Israel declined. Before we arrive at chapter 40, in the previous 39 chapters, we see mostly prophecies of divine judgement and wrath with some glimmers of grace and mercy.
But in Isaiah 40, the tone changes. The judgment phase is over, and the prophet is bringing good tidings and assuring Israel of God’s favor, blessings, and coming deliverance. Despite the comforting words and awesome news, after all Israel went through, it was hard for them to be hopeful, grateful, and expect the best.
Trouble and all, God had been faithful to them, although they had been unfaithful to Him. He made ways for them, and He worked spectacular miracles all throughout their history.
ISAIAH QUESTIONS ISRAEL
To prepare the weary soul of the nation to receive God’s promised grace, Isaiah posed questions to Israel. He asked, why would you complain? Why would you whine? Why would you say God has lost track of you? Why would you say He doesn’t care what happens to you? He certainly cares!
Sometimes, you should ask yourself, why do I say that? Why do I repeat this complaint? What motivates me to be negative or expect the worst?
After years of serving in ministry, I have seen many faith-filled believers allow pain and suffering to make them change what they say. After their knees were buckled by an unexpected, devastating blow, their disappointment and grief replaced the sweet sound of praise with the bitter sound of complaints. Their testimony of God’s love was exchanged for a false narrative of God’s neglect, lack of concern, and unavailability.
It’s important to be aware of what you’re saying and thinking in extended gloom and doom seasons. At times, your feelings will lie and say God has lost track of you, but in response to such feelings, Isaiah has an answer.
In verse 28, Isaiah told Israel, “Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? God doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.”
BE THANKFUL FOR THIS
Rather than letting your emotions lead you into a cycle of complaining, thank God that He never sleeps. Thank God that He’s never off the clock. Thank God that your circumstances change, but He never does. Thank God that He is consistent and trustworthy. Thank God that He never gets tired of you and never ignores you, even though He may sometimes be silent. Thank God that His mercy endures forever.
Have your trials ever given you a temporary case of amnesia and made you forget how faithful God is? Has a series of setbacks caused you to worry more than you worship? Has your unfortunate history robbed you of joy and made you weary while waiting on God’s promises of better days?
If so, Isaiah has good news about waiting. In the first part of Isaiah 40:31 MSG, he says, “But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.” And by the way, praising instead of complaining gives you fresh strength as well.
YOUR JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT
In your journal today, write down:
One way your life has gotten better in the past year.
One way God blessed you that you didn’t expect.
A time God showed you mercy when you were unfaithful.
One way He has blessed you today.
A memory of when something turned out better than you thought it would.
Now, let’s pray.
God, You have been better to me than I have been to You or myself. Sometimes, challenging situations keep me from focusing on Your faithfulness, and I get off track and start complaining. Please help me be more grateful and remember that my negative history cannot dim my bright future and destiny. Thank You for being a promise-keeper. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
What Is the 28 Days of Gratitude Series Based On?
This gratitude series is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT, which says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
In my time spent with the Lord, He dealt with me about how we have a tendency to focus on our issues, problems, challenges, and difficulties, but we are not necessarily intentional about focusing on His goodness. Failing to meditate on His works forces us into a cycle of complaining and blinds us to the amazing ways He reveals Himself on a daily basis. In all circumstances, let us be more grateful.
What do I need to participate?
To participate in this series, you will need a notebook and a journal, because it requires writing some things down. In whatever journal you choose—and it doesn’t need to be anything fancy—daily, you will write down the Scripture of the day.
The featured verse will highlight a complaint from the Bible to help you see that, throughout history, others have struggled just as you do. Yet, God desires that we be grateful. In your journal, I would ask that you write the verse you see featured on the Daily Cup blog each morning, then jot down 5 things for which you are grateful.
5 is the number of grace, so you will be focusing on the grace of God and how His mercy has been evident in your life, even during rough times. At the end of each post, 5 suggested thing to write about are listed.
