IN QUIETNESS AND REST

In Isaiah 30, Isaiah is pleading with Israel to not run to Egypt for her protection and security with the onslaught of her enemies.  How like us, always running here and there wanting a place to hide, running here and there to a person for protection, and running here and there hoping to find something that will give security.  At times, we are even willing to settle for compromise with the Truth of God's Word which will not bring security or protection. Tragically, we flaunt the Truth of God's Word and add presumption with the excuse that there is grace.  

The 15th-16th verses: LORD God the Holy One of Israel speaks, "In returning (withdrawal) and rest you shall be saved; in quietness (undisturbed) and in trust (confidence) shall be your strength (valor, bravery, might)"  TAKE NOTE THE NEXT PHRASE: "But you were unwilling, and you said, 'No! We will flee upon horses; there you shall flee away, and 'We will ride upon swift steeds'; therefore your pursuers shall be swift."  Bottom line: In the trials and presses of life, God offers refuge in Him so that I can rest, be at peace, and be renewed. I choose to be in rebellion and run intentionally and swiftly to what looks like a better resting place, one that looks like security,  love, and care of me.  I am my own god and ruler.  God cannot and will not bless disobedience.  We further compound the chaos and confusion of our lives by choosing willful rebellion  and human flesh to care for me.  I hate the last sentence of the 16th verse, your pursuers will be swift.  I bet they are not only fast but multiplied because disobedience is multiplied, sin upon sin.  

STOP in the NAME of LOVE and choose life and obedience. Run to HIM!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THOSE SEEING CAN BECOME BLIND

Image
John 9 is the story of the healing of the blind beggar.  Not only is it a marvelous story of the miraculous healing of the man as he is given his sight, but a sad story of the religious of whom Jesus said, "For judgment, I have come into this world, so that the blind will see, and those who see will become blind ." The religious have seen the miracle, even though it has taken place on a Sabbath, and they interview the man and his parents for their stories and understanding. I find it so thrilling that the healed man speaks so articulately and logically with the religious in their "interview" with him.  His statement, " Now that is remarkable!  You don't know where HE comes from, yet HE opened my eyes.  We know that God does not listen to sinners.  He listens to the godly man who does His will.  Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing." What truth he has spoken to the religious wh...
Read more

REHEARSALS

Image
  I wonder how much time do I give to rehearsing God's goodness and how He has intervened in my life to "save" me from myself?  How alike the Israelites I can be, complaining about what goes wrong, how it affects me, and what I lack.  As a Christ follower, I have the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give me remembrance NOT of my complaining and grumbling, but of a recall of God's faithfulness to me.  It is recorded in Psalms 78 and 106 that " They forgot what He had done, the wonder He had shown them", "They did not remember His power--the day He redeemed them from the oppressor...", "They did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.", "But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.", and "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt...". Contrast with me, God's remembrance: Ps. 106:44-46, "But He took note of their distress...
Read more

A DONKEY SPEAKS!

Image
    Numbers has been full of repetitive accounts of the Israelites and their disobedience.  They have now made several laps around Mt. Sinai, many of the original people have died off, or been killed for their arrogant and presumptuous actions against the LORD, Moses, and Aaron. The overriding truth of the accounts is the merciful grace of the LORD! Moses is in his last days of leadership.  The forty years are coming to an end and they are moving toward a second attempt to enter the Promise Land.  They have been victorious in taking land, and they are moving further into the interior of the land of Moab.  The king and the residents of Moab are "filled with dread because of the Israelites.  The king of Moab, Balak, sends messages to Balaam, who is a sorcerer and is able to to place curses or blessings on others.  King Balak wants to know how to defeat "this horde" that is licking up everything around them.  Of course, he is desirous th...
Read more