What If…
The Lord spoke to Moses through a burning bush.
Daniel was given dreams and visions from God to declare what was to come.
God revealed His will to the nation of Israel through the prophets.
John the Baptist was used to announce the Messiah would be coming soon to bring salvation.
Today we have the Holy Scriptures.
I have been surprised over the years; however, to discover there are several within the church body who actually do not believe that God still speaks to His people, specifically through the use of the Bible.
I am not one of those people.
I decided long ago there are no such things as coincidences. My Jesus sees all, knows all and His fingerprints are on every aspect of life. I have had way too many things happen over the years that could not be explained by mere “happenstance”. Maybe that is not your testimony, or maybe it is and you just haven’t realized it yet. It’s ok, it took me awhile to connect all the dots too- some are still waiting for lines to be drawn- but I assure you, God is in total control. (Whether you realize or even want it or not)
I had one such “God moment” event happen to me last week and I feel compelled to share, as I believe it is not meant to benefit just myself.
If you read the post from last week, you are aware that I am currently studying through the book of Isaiah. I discussed the work we are called to perform, which is explained in chapter 61, verse 4. If you have not read the “We Have Work to Do” post, I recommend pausing, read that one first, then come back here to finish.
As we approach the Easter season, many churches have services to prepare their congregations to intentionally focus on Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for us on the cross. Regardless of your domination, the practice of fasting from food, items or activities can assist with the redirection of thoughts and priorities back to our Savior. My church, for example, participates in a call to Prayer and Fasting during the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.
Last week, on the same day the “We Have Work To Do” post dropped, I received a message in our church leadership group encouraging us to study Isaiah 58 in preparation for our special service that is upcoming. This caught my attention immediately since I have been studying Isaiah already. I began to read the chapter which discusses the type of Godly fast that pleases the Lord. I was shook by what I saw in the text:
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” (Isaiah 58: 10-12)
Does that sound familiar?
I read verse 12 multiple times and marveled. I knew the Lord was speaking.
Now, some of you are already thinking, “Umm.. sure Brandy, whatever you say, but I seriously doubt God is ‘talking’ to you”. I ask you to remain open minded for just a few moments.
If you read through the whole chapter of Isaiah 58, and I highly recommend you do, you will discover how Israel was receiving a rebuke from the Lord because of their lack of sincerity when fasting and their refusal to put sin to death in their lives. Through the prophet Isaiah, God reveals to them where they have erred, how they are to correct their mistakes and the blessings they will receive if the commands are obeyed.
The chapter is beautifully penned with rich details of both the grievances and rectification. Even though this passage was written several thousand years earlier specifically for the Israeli nation, I believe we can gain much wisdom by obeying the doctrine it teaches in our generation today and obtain the blessings promised.
What if Jesus is trying to grab our attention?
Follow the trail with me briefly.
How is it, when reading Isaiah 61, a passage I’ve studied multiple times, I am drawn to verse 4, which has never happened previously? Scripture that tells me, as a Christ follower, I am to work on rebuilding the devastation my sin has caused and repair the ruined cities. After reading those words, I feel certain that I am to write about this very topic for my next blog post.
How is it, on the day my post about Isaiah 61 drops, I am encouraged by my fellow sister in Christ to study Isaiah 58, to learn how proper fasting brings God glory? As I review the scriptures, I realize this chapter talks about how a sincere fast from God’s children will give them the ability and strength to rebuild the ancient cities, restore the streets so others may dwell there again and they will be called “the repairer of the breach” for multiple generations.
How is it, I did not see this call to rebuild the destruction the first time I read Isaiah 58 while studying the book for the past several weeks? I was not drawn to the text discussing Christ followers should be rebuilders, until I got to chapter 61. Last time I checked, 58 comes before 61. Why didn’t I see it to begin with?
How is it, the timing of my friend to send out that message just happened to fall exactly after my post and right before we enter our Prayer and Fasting season? Why didn’t she suggestion this passage of scripture last year? We have this same service each year, there is nothing different for 2025, or is there?
What if the Lord is speaking?
What if He desires for us to study these scriptures, deeply dive in and allow the virtues taught to transform us in a real, new way?
What if God is speaking through His Word, trying to regain our focus for work ahead? Telling us to fast, repent of sins, put away anything that seeks to blind us and keep us stumbling in the dark and come back to the Light with renewed vigor and vision.
What if He longs to complete a work in His bride during this approach to Easter Sunday?
What if He is searching for a group of believers who will be completely sold out for the Kingdom, holding nothing back in their lives for Him?
What if He wants revival to fall in the hearts of His people? To ignite a spark that will grow into a blazing wild fire within the souls of His children, who will then be empowered to reach those still lost in the darkness and bring them close to the warmth of the flames of the Holy Spirit.
What if God is talking?
I encourage you, beg you, implore you to study both passages for yourself and just see what the Lord may reveal to you. You have nothing to lose, but the possibility of everything to gain.
Once you soak in the words of truth, put into practice what you have learned. You reap no harvest by just reading the instructions on a seed packet. You must plant, water, remove weeds, nurture and care for your produce, start to finish, to receive a bountiful crop. There is work involved. Our relationship with Christ is no different.
I am excited to see what God is going to do in my life these next several weeks as I put into practice what has been revealed to me through the scriptures. I pray, dear friends, you do the same and do not miss an opportunity to grow your faith. There are few things more heart wrenching than someone looking back and asking-
What if…