27 Jan by Lim Poh Ann –
It is in stillness and trust that we draw strength to face life’s challenges.
Confronted by its enemies, Judah could have followed God’s prophetic word to the nation but it did not:
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
But you would not.
(Isaiah 30:15)
Instead of trusting in the invisible God to deliver it from its enemies, Judah sought help from Egypt. Judah trusted in war horses through its alliance with Egypt.
Similarly, it may be difficult for believers to trust God when going through adversity. Some prefer to seek help from people and tangible things rather than seek God. They would rather put their trust in chariots and horses than divine intervention (Psalm 20:7).
In our modern-day context, what are some examples of “horses and chariots”? Human ingenuity, wealth, physical strength, power and fame.
Because Judah had a DIY (do it yourself) mentality instead of relying on God, it will come to ruin. Judah will be defeated by its enemies despite its alliance with Egypt (Isaiah 30:1-3).
Now let us delve into the key verse above:
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
What does it mean to ‘return’?
It means to repent, turn away from our sins and selfish pursuits. We cannot have our cake and eat it. We cannot expect God to help us if we persist in our sinful ways.
What does it mean to ‘rest’?
It means to lean on God alone, find strength and comfort in Him (Isaiah 40:31). Do not fret. Cease from strife and useless activity. It means we acknowledge God in all of plans; stop conceiving and carrying out our own plans (Proverbs 3:5-6).
What does it mean to have ‘quiet confidence’ in God?
It means seeking God, being still before Him, trusting that He is in absolute control of our circumstances and that, in due time, He will deliver us (Isaiah 49:23).
It is having the confidence that when we pass though the waters, He will be with us (Isaiah 43:2).
It implies we are not fearful or dismayed because we trust that God will deliver us (Isaiah 41:10).
Believers who find strength in God amid adversity may experience God’s intervention—when He turns our weeping into joy (Psalm 84:5).
For God can make a way in the wilderness. He can even cause rivers to flow through the desert (Isaiah 48: 21).
Do we prefer our own way of overcoming crisis—My Way, as the song goes? *
Or, do we believe, as the song goes, God Will Make A Way? **
RELATED POSTS
When we face crisis, we need to realise that the battle belongs to God. We just need to stand firm in faith and act only at the appropriate moment. To illustrate this principle, we examine three different accounts in the Bible.
Who or what do we turn to when crisis strikes? Where do we place our hope and trust?
Confidence often coexists with fear and trembling. But when we are secure in our God-given identity and depend on Him, we can be victorious and advance God’s kingdom.
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Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
(Psalm 20:7)
“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!
Therefore the strength of Pharaoh
Shall be your shame,
And trust in the shadow of Egypt
Shall be your humiliation.
(Isaiah 30:1-3)
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
(Isaiah 41:10)
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring.
(Psalm 84:5)
Kings shall be your foster fathers,
And their queens your nursing mothers;
They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth,
And lick up the dust of your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord,
For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.
(Isaiah 49:23)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
(Isaiah 43:2)
* MY WAY, with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E2hYDIFDIU
** GOD WILL MAKE A WAY, with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMAXhc0QTs
Source of Article: http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2015/01/quiet-confidence.html
ABOUT Author: Dr Lim Poh Ann is a medical practitioner. He was the former editor of Asian Beacon magazine (December 2008 – October 2011). He can be reached at his blog, Porridge for the Soul
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