Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV) — 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, 

plans for your welfare and not for harm, 

to give you a future with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message) — 11 I know what I’m doing. 

I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, 

not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Isaiah 45:2–3 (NRSV) — 2 I will go before you and level the mountains, 

I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, 

3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, 

so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.

Isaiah 45:2–3 (The Message) — 2 “I’ll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. 

I’ll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. 

3 I’ll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables— 

Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

Sometimes we are in a place

where we are unable to see 

'the forest for the trees'.

Remember His Promise

to always go before us, demolishing barriers

in order to reveal His Plans and Purposes to us.

And so we wait ...

with expectant hearts.

Amen