I want to be able to quietly handle things and allow others to see the great grace of God at work in me through it all.
May God work His grace in me more. I am returning to Him so I can be at rest in life.
Isaiah 30:15 For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not, 16 And you said, "No, for we will flee on horses" ––Therefore you shall flee! And, "We will ride on swift horses" ––Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! 17 One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, At the threat of five you shall flee, Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain And as a banner on a hill. 18 ¶ Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
This whole passage is all about self deliverance. Self reliance is an enemy to the grace of God. In the insurance matter I told Sarah to seek the Lord for His help but I set out to handle it in my own strength. What an idiot I was.
Quietness and confidence will be our strength it says.
Talking at our problems will not make them go away, but if we learn to quietly rest and wait on the Lord then we show that we are strong.
When we refuse to wait on the Lord we make Him have to wait on us. That is what it says in VS.18 ¶ Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
God desires to be gracious to us, but too often we put Him on hold. We rush ahead with our horses and try to deliver ourselves.
God is exalted when He delivers us and shows us mercy. But He cannot do so if we are too busy trying to save ourselves from situations.
Is it any wonder this Scripture says, “blessed are all those who wait for Him?”
Can you wait for God to come through on your behalf?
This is what characterizes meekness. Meekness is that down to earth quality of trust and quiet assurance.
That’s where I want to be.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
