In our stubbornness, when we look to something – or someone – other than God for refuge, for protection, for shelter, we choose oppression and perverseness over rest. We choose shame, humiliation, disgrace, something that is worthless and empty.
Isaiah chapter 30 lays this out quite clearly. It also shows us another way: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
We must be willing to hear, to see, whether we are looking to Him or not, and if not, let’s return to looking to God for refuge, for protection, for shelter. Trusting him for these things is our rest. Let’s return, and rest.
For me, I return to looking to Him for refuge rather than looking to competence and self-assurance as my guard against the feelings of not being able to live up to the high standards I set for myself in this place.
For me, I return to looking to Him for protection rather than looking to others to protect me from my shortcomings and striving to appear to meet a standard I was never meant to attain.
For me, I return to looking to Him for shelter, relying on Him for shelter, because I know that l looked away, putting up my own guard and high standards for a reason - to be my shelter from the storm of this world, because in this world I still have trouble.
But today I am reminded to take heart, because he has overcome this world. Trusting Him, looking to Him, in quietness and confidence, my Shelter is my strength. My Guide. And Peter tells me he is the Guardian of my soul. (1 Peter 2:25) Thank you Jesus.
Isaiah 30 hit me today. Today I return to looking to Him. Today I pray for the grace to remain, and to continue to see when I need to return, again.
How about you? Where are you looking today? Return, and rest.
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” “
Isaiah 30:18-21
© Copyright Jill Williams, 2019. All Rights Reserved.