SCRIPTURE: Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there—so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured. Isaiah 28:11-13 NIV
THOUGHT: If you want to “don’t worry, be happy” as the song goes, just don’t read Isaiah 28. Or, maybe you are so advanced in faith that you can read unvarnished truth about God’s anger and it won’t disturb your inner joy. I actually hope that’s the case. I hope you’re that strong and steady and square in the middle of God’s will; not worried, filled with peace and rest.
I believe in that place, and I’ve known a few people who seemed at home there. And then there’s me. My eyes got pretty big when I read this passage. My life flashed before my eyes — my type A drivenness and restlessness. I have repented of that lifestyle, but I still feel its tentacles reaching out to grab me.
If you read the context of the passage, this is God’s judgement on his people (not the world) who are a drunken mess. In the midst of the most fertile corner of their country, they choose intoxication over rest and peace, a fake smile over real joy.
I want to be so aware of the fertile valley God has placed me in that I stop in gratitude, lay down and rest, and revel in his glory. This passage convicts me again that God’s judgement doesn’t always come in ways we expect – sometimes it’s the slow crawl of ownership: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there— until all the rules become our undoing. We are injured and snared and captured, and to be freed again is such a rough journey. It’s not one I ever want to take again, and I pray you won’t either.
PRAYER: Oh God, I love your rest. Forget the rat race, the intoxication with self and other substances. I see the fertile fields around me, and glory in what you’ve done.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
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