August 1
Choosing His Way Over My Own
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 65–66, Psalm 62, John 3
Scripture Focus:
“The Lord says, ‘I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, “Here I am, here I am!” to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.
But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes…
Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!
And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness.
Her people will be a source of joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people.
And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more…
I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!’”
— Isaiah 65:1–2, 17–19, 24 (NLT)
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Reflection
Isaiah is still prophesying, and the Lord is still speaking through him: “This is what the Lord says…” This passage reveals God’s heart — His readiness to respond, to be found, to bless His people. Yet, it also shows His grief at their rebellion.
What did God find among His people?
From Isaiah 65–66, here’s what He rebuked them for:
•They did not call on Him (65:1).
•They did not ask for His help (65:1).
•When He said, “Here I am,” they did not answer (65:1).
•They chose their own evil paths (65:2).
•Digging Deep: The Hebrew word for “path” is derekh, meaning a chosen course of life — not just one decision, but a whole direction. And “evil” (literally “not good”) doesn’t just mean obviously wicked — it means a way of life opposed to God’s good design, self-directed instead of God-directed. This is sobering: even if my path looks “good,” if it’s not God’s way, it’s still wrong.
•They followed their own crooked schemes (65:2).
•Digging Deep: The word for “schemes” is machashavot — carefully crafted plans or intentions. Paired with “crooked” (iqqesh), it means twisted, self-serving plans that reject God’s counsel. It’s plotting life my way, doing what seems wise to me instead of what God says. Proverbs 14:12 warns: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
•They mocked His name (65:15).
•They worshiped idols and practiced detestable acts (66:3–4).
•They did what was right in their own eyes instead of His (66:3–4).
Lesson:
Yet even in His rebuke, God gives hope: “Be glad; rejoice forever in My creation… I will rejoice over My people… I will answer before they even call.”
Our life as children of God is defined by choices and conduct — choosing His ways over our own, daily. As Psalm 18:30 declares:
“As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.”
And Isaiah 48:18 reminds us of the blessing of obedience:
“If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.”
⸻
Lesson for Today
God is ready to be found, ready to respond, ready to bless. The real question is: Am I submitting my plans to Him, or am I following my own crooked schemes?
⸻
Application Questions
Choosing His Way Over My Own
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 65–66, Psalm 62, John 3
Scripture Focus:
“The Lord says, ‘I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, “Here I am, here I am!” to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.
But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes…
Be glad; rejoice forever in my creation!
And look! I will create Jerusalem as a place of happiness.
Her people will be a source of joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people.
And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more…
I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!’”
— Isaiah 65:1–2, 17–19, 24 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Isaiah is still prophesying, and the Lord is still speaking through him: “This is what the Lord says…” This passage reveals God’s heart — His readiness to respond, to be found, to bless His people. Yet, it also shows His grief at their rebellion.
What did God find among His people?
From Isaiah 65–66, here’s what He rebuked them for:
•They did not call on Him (65:1).
•They did not ask for His help (65:1).
•When He said, “Here I am,” they did not answer (65:1).
•They chose their own evil paths (65:2).
•Digging Deep: The Hebrew word for “path” is derekh, meaning a chosen course of life — not just one decision, but a whole direction. And “evil” (literally “not good”) doesn’t just mean obviously wicked — it means a way of life opposed to God’s good design, self-directed instead of God-directed. This is sobering: even if my path looks “good,” if it’s not God’s way, it’s still wrong.
•They followed their own crooked schemes (65:2).
•Digging Deep: The word for “schemes” is machashavot — carefully crafted plans or intentions. Paired with “crooked” (iqqesh), it means twisted, self-serving plans that reject God’s counsel. It’s plotting life my way, doing what seems wise to me instead of what God says. Proverbs 14:12 warns: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
•They mocked His name (65:15).
•They worshiped idols and practiced detestable acts (66:3–4).
•They did what was right in their own eyes instead of His (66:3–4).
Lesson:
God wasn’t just rebuking idol worship — He was confronting self-worship. They planned their lives without Him, lived by their own wisdom, and called it good. But any path apart from Him, no matter how “right” it feels, is crooked.
Yet even in His rebuke, God gives hope: “Be glad; rejoice forever in My creation… I will rejoice over My people… I will answer before they even call.”
Our life as children of God is defined by choices and conduct — choosing His ways over our own, daily. As Psalm 18:30 declares:
“As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.”
And Isaiah 48:18 reminds us of the blessing of obedience:
“If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.”
⸻
Lesson for Today
God is ready to be found, ready to respond, ready to bless. The real question is: Am I submitting my plans to Him, or am I following my own crooked schemes?
⸻
Application Questions
1.In what areas of my life am I guilty of “not calling on Him” first?
2.Which of my habits or choices reflect “my own way” instead of God’s?
3.How can I realign my conduct to reflect His glory today?
4.What plans am I holding onto that I need to surrender to His wisdom?
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Prayer 🙏
Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve chosen my own crooked path instead of Yours. Help me to seek You first, to call on You in every need, and to walk in a way that pleases You. Revive my heart so that my life reflects Your goodness, giving the world a correct opinion of who You are. Thank You for being a God who answers before I even call. Let my choices and conduct bring joy to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
⸻
Sit Quietly Before the Lord
Take a few moments to be still before Him. Ask: “Lord, what are the areas in my life where I’ve ignored Your call? What would it look like to walk in a way that pleases You today?”
Write down what He speaks to your heart.
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve chosen my own crooked path instead of Yours. Help me to seek You first, to call on You in every need, and to walk in a way that pleases You. Revive my heart so that my life reflects Your goodness, giving the world a correct opinion of who You are. Thank You for being a God who answers before I even call. Let my choices and conduct bring joy to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
⸻
Sit Quietly Before the Lord
Take a few moments to be still before Him. Ask: “Lord, what are the areas in my life where I’ve ignored Your call? What would it look like to walk in a way that pleases You today?”
Write down what He speaks to your heart.