When You Don’t Know What to Do

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

Our Heavenly Father delivers a powerful prophecy through the prophet Ezekiel, who served the Lord during the time that His people were exiled by the Babylonian empire and living in captivity. As anyone might imagine, it was very difficult and taxing ordeal, and of course the people were tremendously discouraged, even though it was their own sin against God that landed them in this terrible state. This promise from God talks about a radical transformation, the kind that only He can give. It’s an internal renewal that changes the very core of who we are. It’s no secret that many of us living today are in desperate need of God’s transforming power.

During this time in the Old Testament, God’s people made sinful choices and made the decision to turn away from Him. The people of Israel were in captivity as a result of their sinful behavior and their choice to turn away from God Their hearts had become hardened, and they continually ignored His commandments. Instead of worshiping Him, they chose to worship idols. They were rebellious and brought shame to God’s holy name. Yet, in His infinite mercy, Ezekiel 36:22 (NLT) states that He declared: “I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations.” This scripture conveys God’s unfailing faithfulness. While He acknowledges that they didn’t deserve His restoration because of their disobedience, He remains faithful to His promises.

Many of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s goodness and mercy but that doesn’t keep Him from loving on us continuously. His grace is the reason we are still here, breathing and moving, despite our shortcomings. His mercy is evident even after we knowingly fall into sin, time and time again. It’s time for us to wake up and truly embrace His love. God is calling us to a deeper understanding, a higher standard of living. Romans 6:1-2 (NLT) says, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” God’s grace isn’t a reason to continue in sin—it’s the power to overcome it and live fully for Him.

Sometimes we get ourselves into situations that cause tremendous heartbreak and pain. And there’s no sugarcoating it, a lot of times we land ourselves in these relationships and situations because we didn’t seek the wisdom of the Lord or listen to His voice. Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) tells us, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” Taking the wrong path can lead us to a place that is crazy confusing and stressful. We think we can handle it because we’re accustomed to making our own choices and decisions, but this approach will ultimately cost us. We’ll end up in a place where our backs are against the wall, and we just don’t know what to do.

We might feel guilty about leaving God out of the equation, knowing deep down that we didn’t follow His guidance the way we should. We realize that by not following His Word, we've been making decisions on our own and relying on our own understanding, instead of trusting in His wisdom. The guilt we feel comes from recognizing that we’ve turned away from the very Source of peace and direction that could have spared us heartache. It’s hard not to feel convicted when we see how much smoother things could have been if we had only listened to God voice.

He never turns away from us and will never withhold His help for any reason. Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) declares, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” This is an extraordinary and powerful truth. No matter what we face, God’s love remains constant and unshakable. He knew the challenges and situations we would encounter in our lives long before we were born. There is absolutely nothing too big, too overwhelming, or too impossible for our Heavenly Father to handle.

Even though we might feel guilty or unworthy at times, we shouldn’t let those feelings hold us back. God isn’t in the business of punishing His people—He wants us to grow in Christ, and our destiny is far greater than our mistakes. Romans 8:1 tells us that ‘there is no condemnation in Christ,’ which means we don’t need to keep punishing ourselves with feelings of unworthiness. Instead, we can come to God boldly and confidently, knowing that He loves us and desires us to draw near to Him. No matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, God’s arms are always open, inviting us to strengthen our relationship with Him as we accept His amazing grace.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When You Don't Know What to Do”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

An Enemy to Your Enemies

 

Exodus 23:20-22(NLT)
“See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. 21 Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions. Do not rebel against him, for he is my representative, and he will not forgive your rebellion. 22 But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.”

At first glance, the title An Enemy to Your Enemies might feel a little unsettling, even a little unfair. However, when you truly grasp who God is, the totality of His sovereign, omnipotent, and omniscient being, the heft of His promise in Exodus 23 is overwhelming. It transforms from something harsh to a declaration of our Heavenly Father’s love and protection. Not only does God offer the Israelites a promise of protection but also a partnership. He assures them that He will send an angel to guide and guard them on their journey, and this is tremendously generous, but they have a part to play as well: they must listen carefully and obey.

When it comes to obedience, there's no secret that the Israelites in the Old Testament struggled with their commitment to God. Repeatedly, they rebelled, grumbled, and failed to trust in His promises. After being freed from slavery in Egypt, they wandered in the desert for forty years, often complaining about their hardships and doubting God’s faithfulness. Our Heavenly Father sent an angel to guide and protect them, and He commanded them to trust in this messenger. His expectation for them was the same as it is for us today: that we will trust and obey, being fully persuaded that what He has promised, He is fully able and committed to perform.  This means that we must follow His instructions even when we don’t see the big picture. 

In Romans 4:21 (NLT), it says, “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” The Apostle Paul talks about Abraham’s unwavering faith, despite the seemingly impossible situation of being 100 years old and having a wife, Sarah, who was also past childbearing age. Abraham was fully convinced that God could and would fulfill His promise to give him a son, even though his situation suggested otherwise. Abraham's example teaches us to rely on God’s power and faithfulness, no matter how impossible things may seem.

Jesus Christ reminds us in Matthew 19:26 that with our Heavenly Father, all things are possible. Our faith must not be rooted in our circumstances or our own abilities; our faith must be anchored in God, who makes the promises and is fully capable of performing them. 

Jesus Christ reminds us in Matthew 19:26 that with our Heavenly Father, all things are possible. Our blessed Lord shed light on the contrast between human limitations and God's limitless power. Our faith must not be rooted in our circumstances, and it shouldn’t be rooted in our own limited abilities, because we mess up big time. Instead, our faith must be anchored in God, the One who makes the promises and is fully capable of performing them. When we place our trust in His power, rather than in what we can see or accomplish on our own, we open ourselves to the infinite possibilities that come from relying on His unlimited strength and power. 

In Exodus 23:20, God promises to send an angel ahead of us to protect and guide us on the path He has prepared. While God has a specific path for us, He does not force us to follow it. He has given us free will, and the choices we make determine the direction of our journey. Just as the Israelites had to choose to obey God's instructions, we too are called to listen to His guidance and follow His lead. Though we may not know every detail of where we’re headed, we can trust that God is with us, directing and guiding us along the way, as long as we choose to follow His direction.

Exodus 23:22 records that God told His people He’d be an enemy to their enemies. This means that His full provision and power would be right there with them. He would be so aligned with their cause that anyone who opposed them would be directly opposing Him. And we can be confident that going up against God guarantees victory for His people and defeat for their enemies. 

This was His promise to the Israelites, and we can rest assured that He is always faithful to His promises. From the Old Testament to today, our Heavenly Father has consistently shown His willingness and ability to bless us and keep us safe. Our part in this is just as it was for His people in the Old Testament: trust and obey. When we choose to do this, we align with God's plans and invite His protection, provision, and victory into our lives. No matter what challenges we face, when we trust Him and follow His lead, He will be with us every step of the way.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“An Enemy to Your Enemies” written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Those That Can Endure

 

Psalm 86:1-5 (NLT)
“1 A prayer of David. Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. 2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. 4 Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. 5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.”

Through his life, the psalmist, King David, faced numerous enemies, including his own son, Absalom. In a lot of his psalms, David cries out to God for deliverance, and our Heavenly Father was faithful to provide it. In Psalm 86:2, David asks for protection, telling God that he is devoted to Him. We can sense the emotional intensity and vulnerability in David’s psalm, but his confidence in God’s power is also evident. Most of us do not bear the same burdens as David, but we can relate to being vulnerable and acknowledging that there’s no one who can solve our problems but God.

During the Last Supper, our precious Lord and Savior was preparing the disciples for what was to come: his death, resurrection, and ascension. He knows that they’ll face immense sorrow, confusion, and fear, especially after his crucifixion. In John 16:33 (NLT), he told them, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Life is full of challenges. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you can count on going through trials. And let’s be real—sometimes those trials can feel like they’re too much to handle. In the moment, it’s tough to see beyond the pain and frustration, but Jesus Christ assures us that while the struggle is real, so is the victory.

Things can become so entangled and complex that we feel powerless. We may not see ourselves as those who can endure. When we’re going through it, it’s easy to lose sight of the strength we possess through Christ. Our circumstances may make us question whether we have the resolve to press on, but the truth is, God equips us for endurance, even when we feel overwhelmed. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) tells us: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” On our own, we can’t handle everything that the world throws at us, but in Christ, we can overcome any obstacle or challenge. It's not by our own power, but by his that we are able to endure and thrive.

James 1:3 (NLT) tells us, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” God doesn’t cause our trials, but when they come, they stretch us. They push us beyond our comfort zone and provide an opportunity for our faith in Him to grow. Sometimes, when things get tough, we might be tempted to abandon our faith. We may want to give up, but that’s when God’s love for us is most evident. He doesn’t give up on us, even when we’re ready to give up.

We can trust our Heavenly Father to bring us through the most challenging situations of life, recognizing that He never fails. He will never leave or forsake us. Our devotion to Him will be tested, and sometimes it is tested in ways that are unimaginable, but like David, we must cry out to God in humility and devotion. Our confidence in His willingness and ability to come to our rescue is always rewarded. Remember, because of His love and grace, we are those who can endure. Even when the path seems uncertain, we are not alone. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) declares that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and through Him, we can stand firm, no matter what comes our way. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Those That Can Endure”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.