In Quietness and Trust is My Strength

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.” Isaiah 30:15

This is such an amazing verse of scripture that speaks to our souls of a faithful God we can trust completely. This verse of scripture was spoken by the prophet Isaiah when Judah was facing clear and present danger from the Assyrians. This crisis led them to look to ally with Egypt. This, however, is not what God had instructed them to do. He had, in fact, promised to protect and defend them (Isaiah 30:1-5). God sees their disobedience and rebellion and, in His grace and mercy, speaks the words of salvation in Isaiah 30:15 to them through the prophet Isaiah. And still they refused to listen. They refused to wait on Him so that He could provide the opportune moment in which He would act on their behalf. The moment that He could exalt Himself to show them His grace and mercy. The moment that He could show Himself as a God of justice. Isaiah 30:18 says,

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”

They decided instead to spend their time and energy making their own plans and using their own wisdom to ward off the crisis. Their refusal to listen to God led to unnecessary striving. Their striving gave them no peace or joy. It took them out from under the covering of God’s protection. Their striving was a declaration to God that they trusted in their own abilities and not in Yahweh, the holy and faithful God.

Cease Your Striving

We, just like the leaders of Judah, can so easily succumb to the temptation of doing things our way when we find ourselves in a crisis. We jump into action even before we have prayed and surrendered the crisis to the Lord so that He can intervene in His way. We strive in our own strength and wisdom to get ourselves out of the crisis. While we are striving, God is waiting. Waiting for us to cease our striving. To come to Him so that He can show us His higher plan. Psalm 46:10 (NKJV) says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

I love the NASB version. It says, “Cease striving and know that I am God” This sounds like a command. It feels to me as if God is saying, “Stop what you’re doing! Let me handle it.” While at the same time saying, “Come to me and be still. Come away from the clamour, the noise and hear my voice.” When we take time to be still before Him, Holy Spirit will speak to us. He will guide us and lead us. He will give us His peace that goes beyond our human understanding in the midst of our crisis. What a comfort it is to know that when God is in control, He covers us with His divine protection. He quiets our souls so we no longer need to strive. He woos us into His presence so that we can trust Him. Therein lies our strength. Therein, He is exalted.

All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God. Oswald Chambers

Reflection 

Do you find yourself in a crisis in your life – a failing business, a child who has lost his way, the loss of a job, an unexpected diagnosis from your doctor, or the end of a relationship? Consider the words of Psalm 46:10 and allow God to intervene so that He can be exalted in your life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you see the crisis I’m facing. Forgive me for trying to solve this situation in my own strength and wisdom. Help me to cease my striving and be quiet before you. Help me to hear Your voice so that I may submit to You and allow You to handle it. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.