His plans

I love my Life Application Study Bible. I actually got it for free, and it is the first study bible that I have ever had. Lately I have started using it for my devotion rather than my regular bibles. I am thankful because I have been able to read through passages like this one, which is a favorite of mine, and read the little paragraphs at the bottom and find new encouragement or wisdom from the verses.

Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way

and the evil man his thoughts.

Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him,

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways" declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth.

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Isaiah 55:6-11

This is what my Life Application Study Bible has to say about portions of this passage:

"We are foolish to try to fit God into our mold-to make his plans and purposes conform to ours. Instead, we must strive to fit into his plans."

I was encouraged by this because this is where I have found myself lately. I have found myself with a sense of giving up what I want and willfully fitting into God's plans. It's so comforting to find a verse to back up all of the overwhelming feelings I have had lately. I also find much comfort in knowing that God sent me out for a purpose... and if I am willing then I can accomplish that purpose for him, not for me, and return back to him. I can't wait to be with him after having followed him. I just want to make him proud.