Breaking Out Of A Slump Series

MAN – that is good stuff… AND – it’s true and available to us…

• Your sins as white as snow

• New strength & past forgotten

• A new thing starting

• Peace like a river

• Your deepest thirst quenched forever

OKAY - back on May 25 (at about 3:30 pm) I grabbed my bible and my pen and headed off into the woods out back, to be with God… AND – I read these words from the pen of Isaiah;

I have worked hard for nothing. I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful. – Isaiah 49:4 AND – in verse 21 of that same chapter, Isaiah uses these words to describe himself, sad, lonely, defeated, separated from His people and left all alone…

Do you know what? I think Dr Gary Calhoun would say that Isaiah is in a little bit of a slump here… He’s spent, he’s worn out… AND - at this particular moment everything he has tried to do for God seems to be just a big fat waste of time… I have worked hard for nothing. I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful… I FEEL - sad, lonely, defeated, separated from His people and left all alone… OR – as I like to say, when I’m at that same place, ‘I got nothing.’

QUESTION – have you ever been there…? HAVE – your ever felt the same way? (sad, lonely, defeated – like you used all your power but did nothing useful?) HEY BUT – guess what else happens, in this very same chapter. AS - Isaiah pours out his heart to God… GOD - does what He does best… HE SHOWS UP - in a big way and speaks some powerful words to His servant.

I MEAN - right after Isaiah says; I have worked hard for nothing. I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful… GOD – has him pen these words; But the Lord will decide what my work is worth; God will decide my reward…’

MAN – I like that… God is telling ISAIAH – “Forget about what other people see or even what you see… because it’s what I see and what I say that matters…”

AND – checkout a few more things that God has Isaiah pen in this chapter… (it’s a great chapter.. IN FACT - I spent 5 days in it…)

The LORD made me in the body of my mother to be His servant, to lead the people…back to Him… The LORD will honor me and I will get my strength from my God… (5)

God reminds Isaiah;

• OF – who he is, God’s servant

• OF – what he is supposed to do, lead people back to God

• AND OF – where the power to do this comes from, I will get my strength from my God…

AND – I ‘really’ love these phrases that God says to his slumping servant;

• You are an important servant to me (6)

• At the right time I WILL hear your prayers

• I will help you

• I will protect you (8)

• Anyone who trusts in me will not be disappointed (23)

AND GUYS – you have to forgive me.. BUT – I just have to read 2 more passages that God has this worn out prophet write, that really fire me up…

Yet Jerusalem says, "The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us." "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I will not forget you! See, I have written your name on my hand. Ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins. – Isaiah 49:14-16 (NLT)