Isaiah 30: 15 “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’”
Dear God,
Another beautiful day full of Your blessings! All throughout, You are my strength and stay, my wisdom, love and power, Please lead me down You paths today, as I wish for You to have my heart, with my mind set upon You, giving opportunity for Your Spirit to teach me lessons.
I have been impressed by my bible readings this morning, and as I focus on texts in Isaiah 30, I feel Your leading. Like myself and others, I am sure the Israelite’s were focused on rushing off and getting ‘big gun’ help, using much of their treasure to procure outside help; even though God, through the prophets had told them not to do so. Isaiah 30 1, 2 “Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, ‘Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who walk to go down to Egypt, and have not asked My advice, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!” How often we as Christians wonder why all goes wrong, after we find our own solutions, instead of asking You, and doing as instructed, whether from the Holy Bible or by direct answer to our prayers? A large number of Israelite’s went on down to Egypt and did not get what they expected, V6, 7 “………they will carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys, or their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people who shall not profit; for the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose………” It looks worse when it is a large number of people, but the effect is the same individually. Thank You God, for continuing love and patience, but we are reminded, for each person, before and after the Israelite’s, there will be a judgement and a final end to rebelliousness.
Many of us as church members are also rebellious and heedless to instruction, as were the Israelite’s, all the while we are supposedly God’s children? Because of deep everlasting love, You continue to warn all people of what will happen if sinful, unheeding actions do not cease. V15 reflects beautiful love and wisdom, as the people are reminded through Isaiah; help does not come in rushing off in much activity, but in returning not only to their land, but also to their God.
Today God, please keep me focused upon You, so that I can rest and be led into salvation, as You have always wanted for all people. In the quiet place that is You God, my Confidence, I find my strength, I am also thankful for the times I have taken Your rest and peace with me, throughout a busy day. I delight to meditate upon You and Your works.
Amen