And now, the Master, God, sends me and his Spirit
    with this Message from God,
    your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:
“I am God, your God,
    who teaches you how to live right and well.
    I show you what to do, where to go.
If you had listened all along to what I told you,
    your life would have flowed full like a river,
    blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.
Children and grandchildren are like sand,
    your progeny like grains of sand.
There would be no end of them,
    no danger of losing touch with me

Isaiah 48:17

You know what they say, “hindsight is better than foresight.” Certainly, has proven to be true in my life. I don’t believe that is God’s way, however. I don’t believe learning from our mistakes is the best way to learn. He gives us pretty clear instructions in His word on how to live successfully, but, all too often, those words go unheeded.  Fortunately, God doesn’t give up on us.  I am glad for that because despite the things I have read in the Bible, I can quickly go back to my old ways of doing, my old familiar ways of living life that didn’t really work that well, but hey, they are familiar.

If I be honest here, I would have to admit that often times, I know the right thing to do, but don’t do it. Somewhere in the Bible, it calls that sin. UGH!  That’s a rather ugly word for my rebelliousness, but considering all that God has done to show me the better way to live, my reluctance to those things is sin and, well, ugly.

Knowing my propensity to wander away from what is right and doing something pro-active to stop that course are two different things. I need a plan, reminders, if you will, of the things I know to do but all too easily put off doing. Things like quit hitting the snooze button and get up and spend time in the word of God. Or turn off the TV and meditate on God’s word, His character, His promises. I could watch less Law and Order and read more Truth and Grace.  I could look for ways to be a blessing to others more than I look for ways to protect myself from others. I could stop making excuses for lazy habits and start building new ones.

I want that life that flows full like a river, I desire to have blessings rolling in like waves from the sea, I desire that my children and grandchildren be blessed because of my faithfulness to do what is right. Right here in this verse, God tells me how to achieve those things – listen and obey what He says. Not just now and then when it’s convenient, not just when I am rested up and don’t feel the need to snooze more, not when I have a few moments and can cram in a scripture or two and call that good, but daily, every day, all day long. I don’t want to look back on a life that is dotted with missed opportunities, moments of bad decisions and a stagnating faith. I want to look back on a life full of God’s best for me and for my family.

Lord, You know how easily I can choose to do things my way, even when I know Your way is so much better. Forgive me, and help me to be a doer of Your word, not just a hearer. Help me to daily draw my strength from Your word and to pattern my life after the truths I find there, even if they aren’t convenient at the time. I desire that my life flow full of Your blessings not just for me and for my family, but for all You place in my path. Cause me to be that vessel for You, I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I would love to hear from you.   Please let me know if I can be praying for you as well.

pic credit: theconversation.com