His Pursuit

I was leading a Bible study curriculum at my church. I began each night with a little review of what we had studied, and a preview of what was next. At the end of the evening I would share some encouragement from Scripture.

Each week I asked the Holy Spirit to lead me to what God might want for His women. One week I felt the Lord was bringing we back to Isaiah 54—over, and over, and over again. Yet, this scripture seemed to have nothing at all to do with what we were studying. So naturally, I wasn’t convinced I was hearing from the Lord.

Our meeting night came and I thought I had nothing.

I moved to the front of the room with my Bible in hand and in one of the most transparent moves ever of this type A, always prepared gal, I opened to Isaiah 54. “Ladies, I’m not sure why this is, but all week I have been asking God how to encourage you. And He won’t relent on Isaiah 54. So, I know this doesn’t directly pertain to what we are studying, but I am going to read it to you and share a few words.”

As I read verse 5:

“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” (ESV)

A woman in the front row began wiping tears from her eyes.

I finished reading, spoke a brief word of encouragement, and ended our evening in prayer.

As we all gathered our things and mingled for a few moments before heading out, a friend of the woman who was crying came to me. She said, “My friend doesn’t usually come, but it’s been a hard day. Her husband served her divorce papers. When you read the verse about the Maker being our husband she said she felt this peace and assurance that everything will be okay.”

I was stunned. And grateful.

While I was convinced I had nothing all week to offer these women, He knew that she would come and He knew what she, in her darkest hour, would need to hear.

He leaves the 99 and goes after the one, sister. He's pursuing you too!