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! A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:15-18
Heavenly Father, your Word arrives at the door of our hearts bringing the best news imaginable. What more could we possibly want, need, and receive than the assurance that you are both sovereign and gracious—both in control of all things and all the time filled with compassion for us?
Today, the call to “repentance and rest,” and “quietness and trust” is convicting and liberating. It’s convicting, because riding off somewhere on “swift horses” seems attractive at times, and liberating, because you only purpose to give us more of yourself. O, for the centering sweetness of a quiet spirit before you—a heart marinating in your steadfast love for us.
Father, help us “Yes” to the right things and “No” to the unnecessary things. We repent of letting the “tail wag the dog.” We repent of grabbing more plates to spin, things to do, and projects to complete than you intend. We repent of thinking too much and praying too little. We repent of paying more attention to what people think of us, than what you say of us—that we are your loved, desired, and cherished children.
Father, we choose to wait for you—to spend unrushed time beholding the beauty of Jesus and marinating in the riches of the gospel. Enough of this frantic pace; let’s get on with life at the pace of grace. Enough of busyness and noise; enough of do more and try harder, enough of accepting restlessness as our norm. So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.
