The Lord gave my wife, Laura, and I a verse that has been our "theme verse" over the past 6 months. Actually it is a phrase from a verse. I know that is always dangerous because context is everything when it comes to proper Bible interpretation. But the phrase that has greatly ministered to us over the past 6 months is this phrase from Isaiah 30:15...
"IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH!"
And over the past 6 months we have dedicated and devoted ourselves as a couple to quietly trusting in God for our strength as opposed to taking matters into our own hands. And when you understand the context of this passage it becomes even more powerful. Here is what all of Isaiah 30:15-16 says...
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore, you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift.'"
At the time this verse was spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, Israel was being threatened by Assyria. Instead of turning immediately to the Lord for help, Israel's leaders turned to their own diplomacy. They sought to get the help of mighty Egypt. But the horses of Egypt could never compare to the chariots of God. They should have waited on the salvation of God in quietness and trust. Instead they sought salvation in the the war horses of Egypt.
How often do we do the same thing? Instead of resting in the quietness and trust of God for our strength in difficult times, we take matters into our own hands and depend on our own resources or the resources of those around us.
Over the past 6 months Laura and I have been learning the beauty and the strength that comes with resting in the quietness and trust of our Mighty God. So if you find yourself facing a very difficult situation in your life today, may this verse that has brought us strength bring you strength as well:
"IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH!"
"IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH!"
And over the past 6 months we have dedicated and devoted ourselves as a couple to quietly trusting in God for our strength as opposed to taking matters into our own hands. And when you understand the context of this passage it becomes even more powerful. Here is what all of Isaiah 30:15-16 says...
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore, you will flee! You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift.'"
At the time this verse was spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, Israel was being threatened by Assyria. Instead of turning immediately to the Lord for help, Israel's leaders turned to their own diplomacy. They sought to get the help of mighty Egypt. But the horses of Egypt could never compare to the chariots of God. They should have waited on the salvation of God in quietness and trust. Instead they sought salvation in the the war horses of Egypt.
How often do we do the same thing? Instead of resting in the quietness and trust of God for our strength in difficult times, we take matters into our own hands and depend on our own resources or the resources of those around us.
Over the past 6 months Laura and I have been learning the beauty and the strength that comes with resting in the quietness and trust of our Mighty God. So if you find yourself facing a very difficult situation in your life today, may this verse that has brought us strength bring you strength as well:
"IN QUIETNESS AND TRUST IS YOUR STRENGTH!"
Be sure to also read my other blog, "Hope For Hurting Pastors" at www.hurtingpastor.blogspot.com. You can leave a comment at either blog or email me directly at skdistler@gmail.com.
2 comments:
I often feel the need to verbalize every little feeling or piece of advice when sometimes (ok, most of the time) I just need to be quiet and trust God. Thanks for the reminder!
Suzanne Ryerson
Amen, Suzanne. It is so wonderful to hear from you. Thanks for reading "Folks Listen." Blessings to you!
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