I wrote this devotional for one of our church groups in October 2012. Isaiah 30:20-21 is one of my favorite passages. It tells me that God’s voice is not too quiet to hear over the noise of the world that tells me not to follow Him. If I have any doubts about where I am headed, all I have to do is listen for the voice that is guiding me.
Isaiah 30:20-21
New International Version (NIV)
20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:20-21
Good News Translation (GNT)
20 The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more. 21 If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.”
Many times we feel as though we are lost or broken, but as we explore the Word of God, we find examples of how we are healed and found. God gave us His son to be our guide, showing us the path we are walking on leads to His love. Isaiah 30:20-21 tells us that we are given “the bread of adversity and the water of affliction.” Another way to say this is that we have struggles and hardships that we go through. What are some things that you may be struggling with today that the Lord can help you overcome? If we seek the Lord with a watchful eye and ears to hear, He promises that He will reveal himself. He will guide us with His own voice saying: “Here is the road. Follow it.” Any struggle that we face can be overcome.
The bread of adversity – Jesus tells us that this is his body – take and eat. The water of affliction – Jesus says – take and drink – this is my blood of salvation. Jesus walks the very path that is described in Isaiah. He overcame the afflictions and adversities that he faced. They led him to the cross, then to the grave, and finally – he rose again. Jesus passes the bread of life and the blood of salvation to us. His life became God’s voice when he tells us “’This is the way; walk in it.’ – ‘Here is the road. Follow it.’”
Let us pray. Lord, we can joyfully know that any struggle that we face is nothing compared to what You endured a long time ago. With the struggle that you faced, you gave a promise that our afflictions and adversities are overcome by the cross and resurrection. The path that we walk may be covered with ruts and obstacles, but you will light our way and guide us with your voice so that we may not stumble. Let us seek You with all of our hearts. Amen
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