The Rest of the Story

"The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:11 NKJ)

What a marvelous promise from the Lord! It makes a chill of thrill flow over my soul. To know that God has promised guidance, spiritual gratification, strength, and continuous blessings. I want to live in that "garden." I want to enjoy that unending "spring of water."

Yet, living in the Divine promises is more than mere positive affirmation. Of course, meditating on God's Word and promises should be a part of my daily life, but accessing God's promises can not be reduced to a daily incantation of Scripture. God has promised, but the key to activating his promise is my obedience to his covenantal conditions.

When I realized this truth, my life improved immensely. Often, I found that I wanted to access the promise without getting the whole picture. And the whole picture must be understood in order to clearly understand the promise. It is kind of like Paul Harvey's "the rest of the story." Knowing the rest of the story liberates me to accurately, authentically implement God's promise in my life.

When I have cried aloud in repentance; when I am daily seeking God; when I have fasted and broke the bondages in my life; then healing and light comes into my life. Righteousness will precede me and God's glory will follow me. I will call on the Lord. He will hear me and answer my requests. I will be delivered. I will walk in his light and be a light for others. (Isaiah 58:1-10)

In addition, I can access and apply God's promises to my life. I can expect that God will do for me what he has promised to do. He will guide me. He will satisfy my soul. He will grow me like a well-tended garden. He will produce "living waters" in my life. The results are that I will "delight myself in him." He will enable me to "ride on the high hills of the earth." And "feed me with the heritage" that is mine. (Isaiah 58:11-14)

Dear Father, thank you for the rest of the story. Empower me to implement your conditions in my life so that I may also access your promises. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Give time to understanding the rest of the story. Access God's promises today.