Help My Stubbornness, O Lord
BRD REFLECTION 2025
(Jeanette Ling from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Isaiah 48 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
The chapter starts off with a reprimand to Israel for their stubbornness and rebellious nature (v1-11). It then moves on to showcase God’s greatness and sovereignty (v12-15) and followed with an instruction to heed God’s instructions (v16-17) and leave Babylon (v20-21). It ends with a final warning – ‘“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked”’ (v22).
APPLY:
This reading has led me to reflect on my own heart condition: Have I let my heart grow cold, callous and stubborn as it is prone to do? Have I forgotten and neglected God? Is He calling me back to get to know Him more all over again?
I have been feeling overwhelmed lately with the busyness of life, and though I know I should draw closer to God for strength, the same excuses have been coming up – ‘I still have one more task to do before I sit down for quiet time.’ And it doesn’t end there. One task leads to another and then another. And by the end of the day, it’s ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.’ Instead of futilely chasing success on the world’s terms, I should in fact be spending time seeking God for what’s best for my life. As verse 17 says,
This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
DO:
I will set aside time to seek God at a regular time in my day. And I will seek the help of my small group members to do so together so we can have accountability and build each other up.
PRAY:
Dear Father, thank You for all You have blessed me with. Forgive me for neglecting time with You and help me to learn how to trust You more.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
