Definition: Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Isaiah 45:11. It's a really beautiful and comforting message about God’s promises and His plan for the future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says: “God, who has promised to be our Shepherd, is speaking to us about the future. He’s saying that He knows what will happen – about things that are yet to come, and about His work of creating and building. He's inviting us to ask Him questions about those things.” Let’s unpack it a little further: “Thus saith the LORD…” : This is God speaking directly to us. It’s like a direct message from a powerful being. “…the Holy One of Israel…” : This refers to God as the one who has been with the Israelites for centuries and has always been their protector. "...and his Maker..." : This emphasizes that God isn't just planning things; He’s creating them. He’s the one who brings everything into being. “Ask me of things to come concerning my sons…” : This is a direct plea for guidance and understanding about what will happen in the future. It’s asking God to tell us what is going to happen. “…and the work of my hands command ye me.” : This is the really important part. "The work of my hands" refers to God's plan, His purposes, and His actions – His creative work. He’s promising to work diligently and skillfully, and that His plans are complete. What does it mean practically? This verse gives us hope because: God is in control: It assures us that God isn’t just passively watching things happen; He's actively working towards a future we can be a part of. He knows the long game: It suggests that God has a big picture and a plan for everything, even the seemingly distant future. We have a role to play (potentially): Asking questions and trusting in God’s wisdom is an invitation to participate in His plan. In short, this verse encourages us to be hopeful and to trust in God's guidance as we look forward into the future. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of the verse in more detail? Give you some examples of what kinds of questions we might ask God about the future?