the greenest grass around

God says that if we trust him, he will satisfy our needs, he will strengthen us, and we will be like a well-watered garden. Good thing God said this and not me. Because I always kill my plants. Enter grimace emoji.

Isaiah 58:11 states, “The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in drylands and give you strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry.”

The book of Isaiah’s main purpose was to open Israel’s eyes to their sin and call them back. The Lord promised punishment to those who have mistreated his people; and any of his people who turned from him. The book of Isaiah finishes with the promise of renewal to Israel. Their lands were restored from exile and delivered from their enemies. Best of all, God’s own servant sent to them for their sins. God makes several promises in these verses; God promises to guide you. He promises to satisfy your needs. He promises to give you strength. God promises these things like a spring that never runs dry.

We are blessed today because God still directs our paths, just like he did Israel during exile. God still promises to deliver us from our enemies. He will still restore our lands. He still supplies our needs. God still promises to make us strong. These promises are true today because God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus is the same yesterday, as today, and forever.” His promises hold true for all who call on his name and repent of their sins.

I have fought with the Lord over-guiding me for a long time. In the end, after many redirections, I realize God’s plan for me was better than my plan. He sees the big picture. We do not; we can’t see the forest for the trees. If we submit to God, his plans will fall into place without us lifting a finger. God promises to guide us and lead us to the path that will glorify his name. Don’t get me wrong, we may enjoy some of the paths. But make no mistake, God did not call us to live the American dream. He called us to make disciples, to love one another, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to be the light. God promises to guide us ALL the time. Not only for big decisions, major moves, or life-altering issues but for every single twist and turn.

God promises to satisfy your needs and make our bones strong. I have a hard time differentiating needs and wants. I “want” a lot of things. Do I actually “need” those things? No. But when we take our eyes off God and God’s plan for our lives, it becomes easy to see those “wants” as “needs”. When we compare ourselves to others, our flesh desires what we do not have. I can become discontent pretty quick. I don’t know about you, but if I see something advertised on Facebook and Instagram, chances are, I’m going to buy it. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with shopping. I know my personal vice, and keeping up with the Jones is one of them. But when I focus on God and God’s word, that desire becomes more controllable. It’s when I take my eyes off God and look elsewhere. Like a cart horse wearing blinders, they force him to keep his eyes forward, not looking back and forth. We need to keep our eyes on God, like blinders to earthly desires, and He promises to satisfy our needs ALL the time.

Lastly, the verse ends by saying, “You will be like a well-watered garden. like a spring that never runs dry.” Springs are never ceasing. It is always running and producing fresh water. Think about how important clean water was back then. Now, it is something we take for granted. But what God is promising here is a life-changing promise. To say something will be like a freshwater spring, never running dry. That in and of itself would be a miracle for the people of Israel. My poor house plants would think it was a miracle too because they never get enough water. I try and try, I may over water or underwater, but they always die. With God, his promises are true and they are always what we need. When we take God at his offer and comment our lives to him, God promises so much more. We need water to live and live fully. Jeremiah said, blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8. Water is essential for all living things to grow and flourish, just like Christ is essential for us to have eternal life.

Think of a time when you disobeyed God like when I was determined to make my way happen, or a time when you were discontent with what God has given you. I refer to those as a God drought in our lives.

After reflecting on a time in your life, what happened to get you back on track with God? It could be the same or totally different. When I was determined to go my own way, I was almost left jobless, but usually, when I am discontent, I can hear God gently reminding me of his goodness. God wants you to come back to him. He wants you to focus your eyes on him and not on things of Earth. God is knocking; will you let him back in (or in) this year?

Lord, my prayer is that we all seek your face. I pray that we seek your guidance for small and big things. Help us, Lord, to not look after things of this world but look for ways to glorify your name. Help us to be your hands and feet here on Earth. Help us to love one another the way you love everyone. I pray that you will use my suffering to glorify your name. I pray that everyone reading this will seek a deeper relationship with you this year. Grow in your ways, knowledge, and words. Amen.