Are You Willing Or Rebellious?

His Word: Isaiah 30:15 God, the Master, The Holy of Israel has this solemn counsel. Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourself. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me – The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do. (MSG)

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, (ESV)

Observation and Obedience: This portion of scripture from Isaiah comes from an exasperated God who is dealing with the rebellious children of Israel. They take counsel and carry out a plan, but it’s not His plan.

Know anyone like that? (Have you looked in the mirror lately?)

The great news, unlike you and me when we’re dealing with rebellious children, verse 18; the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (AMP)

I loved what Deb Potts had to say in the October 7th post regarding meditation. She gave us 4 steps that would assist us in returning to God, His word, His plan and waiting on Him. It’s not hard, it’s not ridicules, it’s not going to hurt. It’s almost too good to be true.  It’s so SIMPLE! “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” 

So…….let’s just let this sink in, take hold and change our lives! Let’s stop thinking that we’re running the show and we just need God to bless it. We are but a vapor. It’s His story, it’s His plan and He’s longing to be gracious to us, his precious children. He just asks that we return to Him, wait for Him, look for Him, long for Him and spend time with Him. He is our most trusted companion. 

Prayer: Lord, you are so patient with us. Thank you for your word. Thank you that we live in a time and place where your word is so readily available. WE ARE BLESSED. I can read it, listen to it, share it, and absorb it without fear of losing my life. Forgive me for taking it and you for granted; for being careless with it and with our relationship. Forgive our rebellious spirit and stubborn ways. We return to you with grateful, humble hearts. Have Your way Lord. For You are HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.  

Encouragement: “The longer the tea bag sits in the cup, the stronger the tea. The more God’s word saturates our minds, the clearer our grasp on what’s important to Him.”