One of my favorite movies of all time is A Bronx Take. In the movie, young Calogero ‘C’ Anello’s dad Lorenzo tells him, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever.”
When we consistently make good choices, good things happen, but when we consistently make bad choices, bad things happen. No matter what we are experiencing, we can have hope in knowing that if we can commit to doing the right thing over and over, we can climb out of any pit we are facing and maximize our talent.
Isaiah was a prophet in Israel who came at a time when the Israelites were down because they refused to obey and stay faithful to God; because they didn’t keep doing the next, right thing.
Isaiah served as an advisor to several Israelite kings, sharing with them messages he received directly from God.
Isaiah’s prophecies included warnings of judgment for sin and bad decisions, repentance and recognizing when we are sinning, and promises of restoration and redemption when we turn away from sin. He told the Israelites if they didn’t obey, follow, and remain faithful to God, He would allow the Babylonians to conquer them and take them away from their homeland.
One of the most well-known and frequently quoted verses from the Book of Isaiah is Isaiah 40:31:
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
This verse is often cited for its message of hope, strength, and endurance in difficult times, and it is a source of comfort and encouragement for many believers.
We are the products of the choices we make. The lives we live now are a direct result of the decisions we make. Don’t waste your God-given talent by making bad choices, and when you are down, don’t lose hope. Pray to God for wisdom, guidance, and strength, then decide to do the next, right thing over and over again.
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT
1 - What is your biggest takeaway from this message?
2 - What is a choice you know you need to make right now that you are struggling with?
3 - When you are struggling with something, how do you recognize it and overcome it?
4 - When is it the hardest for you to make good choices and do the things you know you should do?
5 - What is an inspirational verse, quote, or story you can use to motivate and inspire you to make the next, right choice?
Prayer:
Our Father, thank you for the many blessings you have given me. I know that life is full of ups and downs. Please give me the wisdom to enjoy the ups, and the wisdom to make the right choices to limit and grow from the downs. In Jesus’s name, I pray, amen.
For a printable version of this post, click here: The Prophesies of Isaiah | Do the Right Thing
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