“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)
“Because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land.” – (Isaiah 43:19, ERV)
“Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; waters will flow where there has been none.” – (Isaiah 43:19, VOICE)
On Sunday, during worship, we say the song Way Maker. As we repeated the bridge a few times, the lyrics sank in and I was reminded of several more things that God is to me. To know God as a Way Maker, is to recognize that He can make a way where there seems to be no way. For the Israelites who were fleeing from Pharaoh after being enslaved for 400 years, God parted the sea and gave them dry land to pass through, despite encountering a place that was seemingly impassable with the Egyptian army behind them with the sea before them. For the same people, He made water flow in the desert and food fall from the heavens to keep the people alive, nourished, and hydrated. God still makes the way for us, despite our circumstances. When all around us seems to be crumbling, He shows us how to press on and stand strong in Him. If our path is impassable, He either shows us how to reroute, or He supplies what we need to get over or through the difficult spaces. Years ago, when I was a part of Youth With A Mission, we were traveling over the border from India into Bangladesh on foot. The border guards were asking many of us for bribes as we waited to cross. God granted us wisdom and grace, as an offer of my rolled up bed mat was turned down and left the guard bewildered, yet I was given the go ahead to pass through. Each person on the team was able to enter, and not a bribe was paid. All of us had offered insignificant objects in our packs, and they shook their heads as if they thought we were crazy. What could have been a difficult or even scary situation, became something a bit comical that we laughed about later. There have been countless times that I have seen and experienced God as my Way Maker. He is good, and God is able to make a way where there seems to be no way. May we ever seek God to be our Way Maker in all things and at all times.
Through our wilderness,
the Lord makes a way;
He shows us His path,
as we trust each day.
Help, hope and His strength,
in love, He supplies;
how to overcome,
in Him, realized.
Goodness unending,
God’s more than enough,
He makes smooth our path,
when the way is rough.
No matter what comes,
in Him there’s a way;
to get through all things,
on His path we’ll stay.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our Way Maker. Thank You that You make a way when there seems to be no way. Thank You that You supply all that we need to press on and overcome. Forgive us for feeling as if we cannot possibly get through what lies before us. Show us Your powerful presence that leads us where we are meant to go, and strengthens us to do more than we think is possible. Teach us to trust You more. Lead us to love, support, and encourage those around us in ways that point to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank and praise You for being our Way Maker throughout all our days. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
O Eternal, show me Your way, shine Your light brightly on this path, and make it level for me… – Psalm 27:11a
Revelations In Writing 