Isaiah 30:15-18 Amplified Bible
15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved;
in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength.
I’ve read those verses in more than one place this week.
Quoted them, prayed them over people, shared them at church.
Seen them paired with stunning, still, restful photos and said ‘Amen!’
God has been speaking to me the last several months about Sabbath.
And I have had to find rest in the middle of a whirlwind lately, so these verses really spoke to me.
But I needed to look at this passage for myself because of, well, you’ll read below.
Quoted them, prayed them over people, shared them at church.
Seen them paired with stunning, still, restful photos and said ‘Amen!’
God has been speaking to me the last several months about Sabbath.
And I have had to find rest in the middle of a whirlwind lately, so these verses really spoke to me.
But I needed to look at this passage for myself because of, well, you’ll read below.
Here’s the rest of the verse:
16 “But you would not,
And you said, No! We will speed
[our own course] on horses!
Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]!
You said, We will ride upon swift steeds
[doing our own way.”
“I would not…” Wait, God, “I would not?”
I would not rest? What does THAT mean? How?”
And I heard the Holy Spirit say,
“By leaning on yourself, and not on me.”
And here is how He drove the point home in the last 72 hours:
I would not rest? What does THAT mean? How?”
And I heard the Holy Spirit say,
“By leaning on yourself, and not on me.”
And here is how He drove the point home in the last 72 hours:
- I have had to meet my sister-in-law (who just flew in from New York) at the hospital to welcome her for her ‘vacation’ with the news that her mother (who lives with my husband and I) had broken her hip and required emergency surgery and our vacation plans for fun and visiting the next two weeks were changing drastically
- I was informed (reading my email on my phone at the hospital) that the new school I will be working at (which isn’t finished yet) will be open finally this week for the teachers and I get to move into my classroom. (And I haven’t met my co-teacher or my colleagues. I have no idea what I’m teaching ’cause it’s a brand new job. And school starts on September 3rd.)
- I found out my precious brother’s wife, my sister/friend for over 30 years, suddenly lost her father last night (while we were at the hospital.) And she had planned to visit him in two weeks. And I found out at church this morning. On my brother’s 60th birthday. When I was standing up front with him and his daughters and our church was presenting him with the gift of a (large print 🙂 Bible.
- Because, well, my brother’s the Pastor.
And I laid my hands on him as he was prayed for, anointed by our precious Pastor Richard, turning my head away because, although I should be rejoicing,
I was shocked and grieved and tears were spilling down my face.
I had to cut the birthday cake in the fellowship hall and smile and be happy and then sad, depending on who I spoke with and about what.
As we drove away from church, I was shaking my head at the roller coaster ride of the day, muttering….
“Oh, Jesus, you are driving us to those still waters,
how you want us to lean into you, to
be carried by you as you remind us,
‘I am in charge. I AM IN CHARGE.’
And there is nowhere else we can go.
NO.WHERE.”
Here is what the rest of this Isaiah passage says (my still waters for this week):
“And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits
[expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you;
and therefore He lifts Himself up,
that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied)
are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him,
who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory,
His favor, His love, His peace, His joy,
and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!”
 |
| Pathway to a wedding—June 2013 |
It is Sunday evening. My sister called to listen to my story of the last 36 hours. She lives two states away and I saw her for my nephew’s wedding in June. But she also had some news she was over the moon about–my nephew and his new wife are expecting their first baby–my sister’s first grandchild.
I can’t think of a greater, more gracious gift from my Father in Heaven that He would bring me such joyous news at the end of this day.
Friends, our griefs, our joys, our sorrows, our rejoicing, all force us to lean into and rest with the Saviour, to share a piece of the pain He suffered on our behalf, that we may know His matchless, unbroken companionship.
I am clinging to that this week.
How about you?
~~~~~~~~~~
Photos–Crescent Lake, WA, L.M. Johnson (my daughter), Johnson Estate allee by the Author
Photos–Crescent Lake, WA, L.M. Johnson (my daughter), Johnson Estate allee by the Author
Sharing with Jen for SDG
Hi Jody Lee! My goodness, God has presided over quite a storm for you, hasn't he? I am so sorry about your losses and health crises…seems like God entrusts a lot to you hands. You are greatly loved, even if it seems like you're just tired and overwhelmed.
I will pray for your needs, and pray for a slower pace, and a calmer mind.
Peace Jody Lee,
Ceil
Nancy, thank you for your precious prayers. Jesus has been close by. And each day has its small triumphs. I appreciate you.
Jody, you're experiencing such on onslaught of overwhelming events all at once. With the “sisters” above who have already commented, I join in offering a virtual hug of support. And I pray that over these last couple of days since you posted, circumstances are already improving.
Dear Lord, hold Jody especially close right now. And give her holy strength and wisdom to see her through. In the powerful name of Jesus, AMEN!
I can only think of these words as I pray for you and your family:
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Oh Jody, bit {{hugs}} for you and your family in these times! I know when things just seem to keep coming at us we get confused and maybe a bit lost, but so gracious is He to tap us on the shoulder and turn us where we need to be….right under His wing. He gives, He takes away; in it all He is there with us. Waiting. I hope this week because more bearable! Big hug!
Margo
Thank you, Lisa. Yes, we are leaning and resting.
Jen, I like the idea of being 'permeated with joy.' Thanks as always for your encouragement. My friend.
Linda, sorry about the befuddlement. I think WordPress and Blogger don't play well together. Grrr..
Anyway, thank you as always for your encouragement.
'Learning to Rest Boot Camp'. I like that! Thank you, Jan for your encouragement.
Jody, my friend, you are in “Learning-to-rest” Boot Camp! I love that passage from Isaiah, and need to review it one more time. How precious to think that our Lord eagerly longs to be gracious to us!
May the leaning and the resting bring you peace, Jody. Only He can give it to you amidst all of this but HE CAN. You are loved and prayed over, my friend.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda @ Being Woven
PS…I am having a hard time lately with signing in with WordPress so I will try this anonymous way, but it is me!
God's given me this verse before, too. It's hard and easy, good and convicting, all at the same time. Praying for deep rest and a laying down for you this week. May your days be permeated with joy and time to release your grief as well. You are dear to me.
Wow, Jody! So many joys and sorrows and changed plans all jumbled up together. That's a lot to navigate. Thankful you had the words of Isaiah 30 in your head to remind you to lean on the Lord. Praying for strength for you over the next few weeks.