Isaiah 29 (part 2)

The last few days, and especially yesterday, seem like a whirlwind—a crazy, hectic, whirlwind. It has, not surprisingly, kind of stressed me out. I would like nothing better right now than to escape to a small cabin somewhere way up in the mountains and far away from anything else man made, including the sound of airplanes. But that is not feasible right now.

However, I have been sensing God wanting me to stop and slow down a bit. It is something I have been wanting myself and have been trying. Strangely though, it is not as easy as it sounds. But for a brief moment this morning, I succeeded. For a few minutes I was able to find myself alone, sitting on a couch. And I read Isaiah 29. When I began to drift away in my thoughts, there were a few verses or partial phrases that quickly grabbed me and drew me back in. Verses 5 and 6 where one such case. “And in an instant you will be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire” (ESV). I couldn’t help but marvel at how this same God is also a God of peace and is the One in whom I find rest, and in fact, the only one in whom I can ever find any real rest. He is my shepherd (Psalm 23).

Verse 13 and 14 reminded me that I still have questions and that I will never be able to understand everything. It doesn’t make sense to me that God would show favor, as it appears he is doing, to some one who honors him with their lips while their hearts are far from him.

Then I came to verse 18 and my heart began to fill with joy. “In that day, the deaf shall hear… the blind shall see… and the meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD” (vv 18-19, ESV). And by the time I finished verse 24, God had so stilled my heart, that all troubles and anxieties had virtually vanished from my mind. And for the next few minutes I was able to breathe easy and find the rest and peace I so desperately wanted and needed. I find it encouraging to know that God’s Word, no matter what passage, has the amazing power to slow one down and give to them what they need, be it comfort, encouragement, conviction, or peace.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:1-2, ESV).