Have you ever tried to make plans on your own without first asking God for His direction? (I know I have!) How often have we had to learn lessons the hard way by jumping out on our own plan? The people of Judah had to learn that lesson on quite a large scale. The Prophet Isaiah called them out for running away to Egypt to escape God's judgement for their idolatry. They ignored God's direction to follow only Him by turning to idols, and again when they ran away to Egypt.

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord,

“who carry out a plan, but not mine,

and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit,

that they may add sin to sin;

who set out to go down to Egypt,

without asking for my direction,

to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh

and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! (Isaiah 30:1-2)

But there is hope for those of us who have taken missteps! Later in the chapter, Isaiah writes:

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,

“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

But you were unwilling, (Isaiah 30:15)

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,

and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

blessed are all those who wait for him." (Isaiah30:18)

How often do we look to God for direction? How often do we listen to His answer? Remember, God has our best interest in mind, His plan is always worth following.

Today, let's ask God to direct us in every area of our lives.