Yesterday's Bible Study |
In this verse, the Prophet Isaiah reports the words of the Lord to the Israelite people. He tells them that quietness and confidence were their strengths, and is angered that they rejected those strengths in favor of their own means. This morning, we'll talk about the context of this verse and consider how it applies to our lives today.
The Israelites had turned against God by desiring an alliance with the Egyptians. Their enemies were pressing in on all sides, and it seemed as if they had nowhere to turn. Instead of waiting for the Lord to deliver them from their oppressors, they took matters into their own hands and looked to their former captors, the Egyptians, for deliverance. The Lord was angered by their disobedience and lack of trust, and He told them that their strength was not in their cunning alliances or might--but rather, in quietness and confidence.
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What does it mean for quietness and confidence to be our strengths? Quietness reflects a state of being; a steady and sound mind. Imagine being calm even as your enemies surround you. This could only be possible if you were also confident that the Lord would provide--that He would make sure you were protected and secure in Him. Confidence in the Lord makes it possible to be quiet and calm in the direst of circumstances.
If you look at your life today, would you say that you sometimes try to solve problems like the Israelites did? Do you rush to a solution without first consulting the Lord? If you do, remember that the Lord has given us a much better way. He does not want us to rush about nervously, but instead, to rest quietly in His faithfulness. He is bigger than anything you are facing, and He is with you, even here.
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