Isaiah thoughts

I'm doing another Bible in a Year plan this year, and last night, I was in Isaiah.  I realized it was so easy for us to say "Haven't the Israelites seen enough of God's blessings and provision to want to follow him always?"  Well, sure.  But so have we.  In the present day, we have seen and heard of God's miracles and provision, and yet, as a people, we are turning from him.  Just look at the difference in the past 50-100 years of what is deemed "acceptable" and "normal", especially for our young children.  There was a time when the most violence a child saw was a fistfight between teenagers, and he thought that was the worst it could be.  But now?  TV-Y7 shows are overloaded with violence, all in the name of "comic mischief".   My kids love Star Wars, but I wonder if my grandparents would have let my dad watch it at 4,5 or even 7?

So, my reading has just convinced me to not take my eyes from Him for guidance, for provision, and miracles even when I don't realize I need them.  Even when things are going along swimmingly, it's easy to drown when I'm not focused on all that God has done in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁶Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);
 ¹⁷Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
 ¹⁸Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

Keeping this verse in mind (I love the Amplified, wordiness and all), I will continue on my life journey with my family.  Despite hardships, I will rejoice.  In the good times, I will praise His name.  And I will commit all things to prayer.