Key scripture – “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing.” (Isaiah 30:15).

In Isaiah 30, the King of Judah sent a caravan of diplomats to Egypt to persuade Pharaoh’s army to join a defense pact against the Assyrians. There was no prayer about the matter, no trusting in the Lord, nothing but a panicked delegation heading down to Egypt to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh, not in God.

“Who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!” (Isaiah 30:2).

The prophet Isaiah used the occasion to preach a sermon, advising the caravan to turn around. “In returning and rest you shall be saved,” he said. “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But the people would have none of it.

What Isaiah was saying to the caravan, The Lord is saying to us. The Lord wants our trust. It is so harmful to us when we fail to pray and to rely on Him, and to seek refuge in Him. How sad to see panicked believers running to Egypt when:

The Lord Himself will fight on our behalf. “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” (Exodus 14:14). “The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 1:30).

The Lord will meet your need. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

The Lord will enable us to be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39).

Do you need to stop and turn the caravan around? Maybe it’s time to reverse course and seek the guidance, provision, and refuge of The Lord. In returning to Him, and resting in Him, you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times that I have panicked and headed for Egypt and tried to solve my problems on my own, instead of immediately going to you in prayer. You have told us that fretting only leads to evil, and it does. “Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.” (Psalm 37:8). Therefore, instead of letting fear, anxiety and panic set in, I will pray and wait patiently for Your guidance. You are my refuge and my strength, my God in whom I trust. I know the only true rest, the only lasting rest is in Jesus, who told us. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Thank You Father for the rest and peace that I have because of You, no matter how bad the storm is, You will guide me and deliver me. In Jesus, the Prince of Peace’s Name, I pray Amen.

 Laura Ingle