THE NEXT STEP

by Danielle Hanstad

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”  ‭‭Isaiah 40:31

In a world telling us to "manifest" our best life; the Lord is telling us to wait on Him. The intentional act of waiting requires faith, trust and patience. When our current circumstance feels like we are stuck in the wilderness, we can have faith in knowing the promised land is our inheritance. When we can’t see God’s hand moving us forward in this season, we can cling to the truth that God has a plan and future for us (Jeremiah 29:11). And when the wait feels long, we can choose the fruit of patience, knowing God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We are able to wait, and wait well, when we move from a place of enduring to embracing. God longs for us to live in a state of dependency on Him. When we embrace our wilderness season, we are choosing to give up our destiny, and wait for His destiny. We welcome a lifestyle being led not by our own desires, but by the Spirit of God. The Lord maintains this state of dependency oftentimes by only revealing the next step in our journey, rather than the entire staircase. If He revealed the entire map to reach our God-given calling, we might lose our state of dependence on Him to get there. If you're in a wilderness season, take heart in clinging to the promises of God, and asking the Holy Spirit to just reveal the next step. Then walk in obedience knowing He will guide you to the promised land.

SCRIPTURES: Psalm 27:14, Lamentations 3:25-26, Exodus 14:14, Proverbs 3:5-6, Micah 7:7, James 1:4, Romans 8:25, Psalm 84:11, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Proverbs 19:21, Psalm 138:8

ACTION STEP: If necessary, repent for resenting a wilderness season that you are in. Then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the next step, to enable you to wait well, as you embrace what God has planned for you.

PRAY: Father, thank You for the promises of Your Word and how I can trust You are always working things together for my good and Your glory. I pray You fill me with Your Holy Spirit to empower me to walk through this desert in patience. Create a thirst in me for Your Living Water like never before. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.