Dear Logos Family,
“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says:
‘In repentance and rest is your salvation,
In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
Last night it snowed two inches in Cle Elum. The new snow is pretty covering the old snow that is brown and dirty. It reminds me that the battle between winter and spring is raging.
Winter doesn’t want to give up the ghost; it shouts out, “I still have the ability to produce snow!” Today, and for the next three days, however, the forecast is for sunshine.
“No”, Spring cries out. “I want to show the world sunshine; I want to send forth the flowers to bloom and the grass to grow on the brown hills.”
Even the seasons battle for dominance, winter eventually giving way to spring and spring eventually giving way to summer, and then fall.
A similar battle takes place in our spiritual lives. Our bodies want to “get up and go.” We want to work, play, and move with all our being. And then the voice of the Spirit says, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Our strength and our salvation come as we quiet ourselves before the Lord and seek His face. (Jer 29:11-13, Matt 7:7) We receive courage, trust and hope as we “wait upon the Lord.”
As much as we want to “move” and “go”, “salvation” and “strength” come as we wait upon the Lord.
“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles.
They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.”
Isaiah 40:31 (MSG)
God’s strength,
Pastor Bill