Settled

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 yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.

Isaiah 30:15 MSG

Today’s passage has been on my memory verse list for several years. I purposely ommited the last statement when I would rehearse the passage because I didn’t like the thought of rejecting God’s promises. In the NIV translation it reads, “but you would have none of it.” In the story that is presented for this passage, the Israelites were unwilling to allow God to lead them. They determined that they were capable of managing their own lives and didn’t need His wisdom or counsel. God was offering peace, rest, salvation and a trusting relationship, but they would have none of it.

How often do we do the same?

I recently moved and throughout the process had to make hundreds of decisions. The whole moving experience is hard work, time consuming and takes a great amount of patience and strength. In past moves I have made my checklists and plans of how I want everything to take place and each time, I have experienced frustration, lost my temper and been miserable throughout the process.

This time however, I decided from the very beginning that God was in control and I would depend on and follow His leading. Not only did He guide me to the very home we were to purchase, He also provided the lender who would walk through each and every detail in the mountains of paperwork that would be required.

He gave me energy and peace during the renovation process to where I even enjoyed the painting which is my least favorite task. On the day before the move when the movers canceled, He gave me peace and perfect weather for the following day when everything was moved in record time with the help of our son and granddaughters.

I believed throughout the process that God was providing everything that would be needed both financially and physically. I was trusting Him for everything, and He was true to His word. My strength came from settling down in complete dependence on Him.

As I sit at my desk writing today I feel settled and at peace in His loving presence. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.