The people in Isaiah’s day were being urged by God and His servants to let go and let Him, but at first, they despised God’s Word. They continued to rely on sinful motives. God warned them that their bad choices would result in a sudden collapse...
“Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: ‘Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.’” [1]
God urged them to return to resting in Him if they wanted to be rescued. Be quiet. Be confident. “I will be your strength.” But they hardened their hearts against God...
“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.” [2]
So, the Lord decided to wait. He wouldn’t force what was good for them upon them. He waited to be gracious to them. There would come a point when the people would stop striving and turn to Him. Then, He would be gracious to them. Then, He would have mercy on them. Blessed are those who wait patiently on the Lord...
“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. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.” [3]
As the people waited upon the Lord, they heard Him speaking. He gave them directions. Life became easier with God Almighty the Creator in-charge. They threw aside their idols...
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. You will also defile the covering of your images of silver, and the ornament of your molded images of gold. You will throw them away as an unclean thing; you will say to them, ‘Get away!’” [4]
Not only was life better with God in the driver seat, they also experienced His healing power...
“In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound.” [5]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trusting in our faulty human pride, and please grant us the wisdom and strength to return to You, rest in You, be rescued by You and led by You. And please do graciously heal our bruises and wounds. For it is in Name of Jesus Your Son that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Isaiah 30:12-13
[2] Isaiah 30:15
[3] Isaiah 30:18-19
[4] Isaiah 30:21-22
[5] Isaiah 30:26
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