Tuesday, February 6, 2024

The STILLNESS strategy

 

Isaiah 30:18

King James Version

18 And therefore will the Lord wait, 

that he may be gracious unto you, 

and therefore will he be exalted, 

that he may have mercy upon you: 

for the Lord is a God of judgment: 

blessed are all they that wait for him.


GOD is Master Tactician.

And Master Strategist.

And yet, people continue to doubt Him.

But the true born again doesn't.

Our faith is in the LORD.

He teaches us about patience.

Stillness.

Faith.

Peace.


Man can plan all he wants, and it may not materialize.

Man can plant all he wants, and it may not bear fruit.

The secret is in the praying.

What do you pray for?

The born again prays for this:

1 John 5:14

King James Version

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, 

that, if we ask any thing according to his will, 

he heareth us:


We pray to know GOD's will.

If it be GOD's will, it will materialize.

GOD will make sure.

Take the case of His people, who GOD admonished:

Isaiah 30:2

King James Version

2 That walk to go down into Egypt, 

and have not asked at my mouth; 

to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, 

and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!


Isaiah 30:7

King James Version

7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, 

and to no purpose: 

therefore have I cried concerning this, 

Their strength is to sit still.


Isaiah 30:15

King James Version

15 For thus saith the Lord God, 

the Holy One of Israel; 

In returning and rest shall ye be saved; 

in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: 

and ye would not.


So, what happens?

GOD teaches them a lesson:

Isaiah 30:3

King James Version

3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh 

be your shame, 

and the trust in the shadow of Egypt 

your confusion.


Isaiah 30:16-17

King James Version

16 But ye said, No; 

for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: 

and, We will ride upon the swift; 

therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; 

at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: 

till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, 

and as an ensign on an hill.


There is virtue in stillness.

JESUS taught us to be still.

To trust in Him.

Remember His power?

When His apostles panicked at the storm?

Mark 4:35-41

King James Version

35 And the same day, when the even was come, 

he saith unto them, 

Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, 

they took him even as he was in the ship. 

And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, 

and the waves beat into the ship, 

so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, 

asleep on a pillow: 

and they awake him, and say unto him, 

Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, 

and rebuked the wind, 

and said unto the sea, 

Peace, be still. 

And the wind ceased, 

and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, 

Why are ye so fearful? 

how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, 

and said one to another, 

What manner of man is this, 

that even the wind and the sea obey him?


We must trust JESUS.

We must wait upon Him.

Psalm 27:14

King James Version

14 Wait on the Lord: 

be of good courage, 

and he shall strengthen thine heart: 

wait, I say, on the Lord.


We don't do anything, unless, and until GOD's SPIRIT is upon us.

As JESUS commanded His apostles:

Luke 24:49

King James Version

49 And, behold, 

I send the promise of my Father upon you: 

but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, 

until ye be endued with power from on high.


We must trust the LORD.

Proverbs 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.


We must let Him direct our paths.

Isaiah 30:20-21

King James Version

20 And though the Lord give you 

the bread of adversity, 

and the water of affliction, 

yet shall not thy teachers be removed 

into a corner any more, 

but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, 

saying, 

This is the way, walk ye in it, 

when ye turn to the right hand, 

and when ye turn to the left.


A true warrior of the spirit must have the MIND of CHRIST.

He must be brave.

Patient.

Prayerful.

Peaceful.

Obedient.

Watchful.

Still.

Therein lies his safety, and salvation.


Related material:

In STILLNESS is the KEY

Calming the Stormy Seas of Life

BREACHING the walls

BORN AGAIN articles

SPIRIT of GOD


Image: Clipart Library


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