QUIETNESS AND TRUST
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
Isaiah 30:15-16a (NLT)
Our journey with Jesus is one of learning and unlearning. How much striving, pushing and independence have we learned before coming to know Christ? The way of Jesus is sometimes counterintuitive to our culture, media and how we’re raised. Yet we also have our flesh and desires at war within us!
The Holy Spirit guides us forward, encouraging us to live more dependently. He desires that we stay in tune and step with the Father. This life is much less chaotic than the one we’ve learned. In Isaiah, God reminds the Israelites that returning to Him in relationship is where their salvation is found. However, the Israelites and many of us have found options that seem better than Jesus.
With noise and ego, we plod our way forward. Sometimes, unknowingly, we’re running over people on the way to having our desires met. The way of Jesus offers an alternative. Quietness and confidence are the ways of our Lord. There is no need to yell or get in line first. A loving and protective Father will meet our needs.
APPLICATION: Set a timer for 15 minutes. Remove all the noise and sit silently. I know, scary. Take that time to sit in quietness and confidence before God intentionally. As you sit with Him, ask, Where am I striving to get my way instead of yielding to Yours? Ask God to show you how you can put your trust in Him this week.
PRAYER: God, I thank You for allowing me to sit in quiet and confidence because You know better than I do. I ask You to help me live my life more at Your pace than mine today. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?