Devotional - Trust

“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”

Isaiah‬ 30‬:15‬ NIV

Message:

The context of these beautiful verses are the rebellion of Israel and her desire to forge ahead in her own strength. It’s in the midst of this, that God speaks these words of startling counter-cultural truth. 

Although we may not be intentionally walking against God’s will, we might be trying to work things out in ways which make sense to us, in ways which are within our cultural norms. Most of us are accustomed to being fairly self-reliant, and it is obviously right to use our God given abilities and resources, but there may be times when God has a different plan. We might not necessarily be deliberately rebelling, but nonetheless may have to come before him with the plans we are striving to implement and resubmit them to Him. It’s beautiful that after we have done this, we find rest. 

The second part of this verse speaks to me of how we build our spiritual muscles, our strength, by spending time quietly with our Lord, and trusting His solutions and ways. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). It’s easy to quote, but when God asks us to step out of the boat of our own capabilities and society’s expectations and walk on the water we certainly grow in strength. It’s not easy, yet as we spend time with Him and learn to hear His voice whispering “this is the way, walk in it” we grow in our faith.

Point to ponder

Most of us will have found that parenting children or living with loved ones who have sensory issues necessitate that we will have to walk against the flow at times. Maybe we could pray for each other that we would have the ability to hear God’s gentle promptings when we need to do things differently, and the courage to walk an alternate path. 

Prayer pointer

Dear Father in Heaven, I don’t want to to work against your will. Help me to see clearly your plan! Help me to trust in you. To lean not on my own understanding but your good and perfect will. Please show me clearly how to walk out what you want me to walk out and where I need to surrender. Amen