Guest Post by Author Cassie Downs
“For thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8 – 9 (CSB).
What if nothing changes?
Those four words were a blow to my gut. I spent the morning praying for new things in 2021. A new beginning full of better days would be great. The thought of God doing a new thing excited me. I was banking on it. But during my prayer, God put my heart in check with these words: What if nothing changes?
What if, despite a new year, despite my prayer (although begging is probably a better word for it), what if NOTHING changes on January 1? What if a new year doesn’t cure all my current problems? Can I believe that God is still good? Can I still believe in Him, in His word, and in His promises? If nothing changes, can I still believe that He is for me?
I don’t claim to know much, but I know this; God doesn’t look at our calendar and think, “Wow, the new year crept up quickly. I’d better get the ball rolling on everyone’s request!” Nope. He’s not on our timetable. We’re on His, and if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that His timing looks nothing like ours.
Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 2 Peter 3:8 (CSB).
He is still for us and with us, and He is still good! God is, in fact, a man of His word. He may not do things when and how we believe He should, but He cannot fail to do what He says. His promises are yes and amen through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). We can count on Him to keep His word despite the day, the hour, or the year. I’m not saying everything we ask will happen. He isn’t a genie in a bottle. He is a good father. And he keeps His word to His children.
Despite everything, whether what you’re hoping for is a yes, no, or not yet, you can count on the character of Christ. His character doesn’t change because of our situations or based on our circumstances. He never changes (Hebrews 13:8). His character remains. He is good, faithful, kind, trustworthy, loving, our joy, and our peace. He is patient and loves us recklessly. He is all that we need, and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:31-39).
After growing through this battle with timing, I prayed for a word from the Lord going into the new year. The word God whispered to me is ‘believe.’ He reminded me that I could believe in Him, and His word, and in His character. And you can believe in him too. God wants the very best for His children. Believe it. Believe in His promises, not because He does things in your time, but because He’s a man of His word.
Listen to His whisper today. Rest in his promises.
I am with you.
I will protect you.
I am your strength.
I will answer you.
I am your provider.
I am your peace.
I love you always. Believe in me.
Prayer: God, sometimes I struggle to see how anything good can come from my situation. I struggle to see your hand in my life. I battle to trust your way and your time. But I am reminded today that you are a man of your word. Your promises are true. Help me not focus on what I want or what I seek from you and fix my focus on who you are and the promises in your word. May I not lean on my understanding but on you, Lord. I trust you. Do what you want, when you want it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Cassie Downs is a lover of Jesus and her family. She is the author of two books, Chasing Jesus and Unrivaled, both 60-day devotionals. Cassie is also the founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry, a homeschool mom, and furniture flipper. She resides in Stockton, Mo with her high school sweetheart and husband, Dustin and their three teenagers.
Link to my social:
Instagram @downs.partyof5