Isaiah 30:15, 18
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you. (NKJ)
Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.
He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. (MSG)
These scriptures have been our life verses especially in times of trouble and warfare. The Lord has been there and would not allow us strike out or lash out. In times of deep anguish God’s grace and love reached our souls. We wanted to take matters into our own hands many times, but then the Word of the Lord came just in time.
Sometimes it has been peaceful and other times the roaring waves engulfed us. It seemed that nothing was working out, and our hearts were broken to pieces. The shards were thrown into the fire of affliction. Did the Lord forget about us?
Then the fragments of our hearts were molded and put together again. We waited quietly without saying a word. It’s like our mouths are sealed shut, like the lions in the den. Then mercy stooped down. Our own strength is replaced by His strength.
When we lacked confidence we sat in the stillness of the night, and He poured His love into our souls. We felt new joy arise again. Our souls were refreshed.
The Lord had waited for us to settle down enough to receive His strength. He had not left us even when we were too busy to find the quiet place. We cannot thank Him enough.
What about you? Do you remember a time when you wanted to lash out but could not do it? Or made the wrong choice and took matters into your own hands?
“Then mercy stooped down.” Beautiful!
Too often when my kids were growing up, I took matters into my own hands. Sad but true.
I am so very thankful, now that they’re adults, I have a good relationship with each of them. Such a blessing!
Thanks for sharing your heart, Pirkko. This is lovely.