Isaiah2:22

Cease to trust in (weak, frail, and dying) man, whose breath is in his nostrils (for so short a time), in what sense can he be counted as having intrinsic worth?

(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) believes in being spiritual, rather than following man-made religious traditions.)

In order for us to grow, God sometimes has to strip us of everything we put our trust on. Because, God is a God of restoration, who restores our minds, our emotions, our souls and our health.

(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) is a scriptural motivational Lecturer, who guides people on life’s basics principles.)

Amos 9:14, “….and I will bring My people Israel back from exile. They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine, they will make gardens and eat their fruit.”

Hosea 6:1, “ Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us, He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds.”

Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and an everlasting joy will be yours.”

To make you all understand this, in a more practical and simple way , let me give you an example.

We had to get our house repainted a while ago. So, as the painters were working on our worn out walls, I was observing them carefully. I saw them stripping the previous paints with a very harsh sandpaper. When the sandpaper was being worked on the walls, it was leaving harsh marks on the walls, stripping it off all the worn out paints of previous years, and smoothening the surface. Once the painter finished with the sandpaper part, he applied putty and painted the walls with Primer (fillers) to even the surface more, that the surface of the walls would be strong and receptive enough to hold the beautiful expensive paint we had bought, that it may stand out in the entire sector, as a beautiful house.

And once they were done with the primer, they left the wall for a few days, to dry up the surface, from within. And the wall was finally ready, for fresh paint. He painted the wall with the expensive paint. And the work? Was simply marvellous!!

While watching all this, I was recollecting, my own journey in life. There was a time, when God was stripping me, off my props (the so called human helps that were of utmost priority in my life). I thought my parents and brother and friends were everything. They will stand by me no matter what. But then, Isaiah 2:22, came true.

Psalm 118:8-9, “ It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man and princes”.

Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me”.

I complained, since it was hurting my emotions. I felt God deserted me, and turned His ears away from me. I felt my prayers were not heard. I didn’t like the smoothening He was doing at that point of time. But now I realise, when I look back. He was not yet done with me. I felt all the desertion at my “primer level”, where God left me to dry up of my previous wounds and hurts and pains, so that I would be ready, as His fruitful vessel, receptive enough, to hold His “words’ and “work. ’He was taking me into a beautiful journey-with “HIM alone”, was teaching me to trust— in “Him alone”.

Deuteronomy 31:8, “ it is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed”

1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you”.

Joshua 1;5, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so will I be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”

Psalm 55:22 , “ cast all your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you, He will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Remember God’s command ? “…..you shall offer an offering made by FIRE to the Lord…..”

Fire is a purifying, refining agent. Anything that’s ‘not yet worthy to be used’ has to be refined and purified by fire. Offerings had to be purified WITH FIRE, BEFORE BEING OFFERED TO GOD.

Similarly, till the time we haven’t been disciplined by ‘fire’ in life, we aren’t worthy to be used for His glory. Simply because, we will not value our calling, our blessings. In a way, it is important for us to earn things hard way, since it’s natural inclination of man to ‘undervalue’ anything he got free.
Revelation 3:18, “ I advise you t o buy from Me gold refined by fire o that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed, and an eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.”

Daniel 12:10, “ Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand”.

Trust in Him. He is a Good God. He is our Perfect Master.

Your trust in Him will go a long way. It will be well with you forever and as He promised in Leviticus 25:19, “….The land shall yield its fruit, you shall eat your fill and dwell there in safety”.
Blessings!

(Shash Grewal(Shashwati) is a scriptural Motivational Writer, Speaker, Spiritual Teacher, Preacher and an Evangelist.)

Our support system may take many forms. But whatever it is, God would wait for you to come to Him and trust in Him. Enjoy that journey. None of us are going backwards. It’s simply wonderful to learn every moment, and enjoy the journey. Changes your perspectives. Changes You.

Do not be like a twig thrashing about, in the wild wind, because your props have been removed. Instead grow deep roots, that you may be so strong, that you can stand tall, steady and graceful, that no wind can uproot you, and you become a tree of righteousness..

Prayer:-
Support me O Lord! And strengthen me against the inclinations of nature and self love, for corrupt nature is ever seeking its own gratification, in opposition to Your Holy will. Amen!

(“”The writer has been a Cover page Model for various fashion magazines , anchored various musical shows for youth Channels and a (short film) filmmaker for Discovery Channel. Currently busy writing her own book””)