In last week’s blog, I shared a verse that is one of my go-to scriptures. Many Bible verses have affected my life. I’d like to share one I use for an email address—Isaiah 58:11.
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought,
and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail (NKJV).
A perfect verse for someone who moved from the plush, green grass of Tennessee to the dry, brown desert of New Mexico. But this promise became mine ten years before we considered a move.
My husband and I had fostered two children. This led to my hope to adopt. Our two older children were seventeen and twenty-one. The thought of starting over with our family was daunting knowing I’d be older than most when our child graduated from high school. I fasted, prayed for God’s guidance, and read Isaiah 58 where we’re told about fasting that pleases God.
My understanding of what verses 6-7 say is that besides fasting, we are to share bread with the hungry, provide shelter for the homeless, and clothe the naked. Several blessings follow beginning in verse 8. I took these verses as confirmation to what God had birthed in my heart. Because of our ages, Verse 11 grew my faith as I prayed regarding adoption.
An orphan in the world needed food, clothing, and a home. We welcomed one into ours. To start over was huge, but God promised to guide and satisfy in the dry times, strengthen in the weak, and refresh when we grew weary.
Our daughter is now twenty. The Lord blessed her with a gift for music. She sings and plays guitar at church, attends college, and is doing well at her job. God has a plan and purpose for her life. I’m thankful to have had a small part in the big things He has for her.
Was it easy? No way. I spent plenty of time on my knees and quoted Isaiah 58:11 to remind myself to continue to stand on God’s promise. The Lord never failed me.
God’s Word contains wonderful promises. I hope you have several you read or recite often to remind you of how good our God is.
He may not be calling you to adopt, but how is the Lord guiding you to share with the poor and needy?
Photo by Monika MG - Unsplash