Believe it or not, God wants what’s best for you. Isaiah 48:17 is a lovely little verse, isn’t it? God gives us all the good things; He’s teaching us what we need to know. Great. Now onto verse 18. ‘If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.’ Tough stuff. Let’s dig into that…
So, whether we’re talking about God’s commands that apply to everyone, or the things that He specifically teaches us, as individuals, the point is that we can live in a way that glorifies Him. Which is what God wants – to reveal Himself to the earth that He loves. Because of that, He makes sure that we have those commands available, and is constantly teaching us stuff.
So where does it go wrong? Well, rather than sticking with the stuff that makes us strong – God’s guide to living right, and the abilities and skills He’s honing in us – we start to look elsewhere. We forget to do what He’s asked, and we try to take charge of our own development. But that’s not where we find peace, or well-being. Read Isaiah 48:17 again. ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’ If you feel like you’re in need of some of that peace, you’ll find it in Him. If you feel like you’re off track, you’ll find your way back through Him. Just ask Him.

What Now?
Set aside 30 minutes today to simply sit with God, in silence. See what happens.