Isaiah 30:15 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,
but you would have none of it.

This is so typical of human interaction with God! He offers us in­calculable blessings, everything we genuinely want and more, and we turn Him down because we want to do things our own way. We are like those quoted in verses 10-11, telling God’s ministers what we want to hear instead of what God is really saying to us. I forget the exact quote, but I think it was Einstein who said something like, “There are two things that are infinite, the universe and human stu­pidity, and I’m not so sure about the universe.” Frankly, we see th­at displayed around us all the time, in ways big and small. Just yesterday my wife was telling me something someone had done recently, and I literally did a face palm, at a loss for words. That particular thing wasn’t so significant, but the sad thing is that it happens all the time in life-or-death issues as well, as Isaiah is writing about here. Frankly, all we really need to do is acknowledge our ignorance, stupidity, and powerlessness and then ask for God’s guidance and help, but we are too stupidly proud to do that. Pride trips us up in many ways, yet we are too blind to see it and so cling to our pride. God loves us and offers us eternal life and infinite glory, but we have to accept them on His terms and let go of our conditions, our pride.

I well remember a time, many years ago now, when I was in a prayer meeting and someone had a problem they were struggling with. I felt that I was to give him part of this verse, but it was awk­ward because I didn’t feel like he was rejecting the quietness and trust God was asking of him. That brother has graduated from this life just this year, and I know he is currently rejoicing in all the good things God has for him, but he needed to accept more of them soon­er. I have been very slow to accept some of the things God has offered me, so I have no fingers to point in this area. I am to proclaim God’s truth, His mercy and grace and holiness, and pray for people that they may reject the devil’s lies and accept God’s incredible of­fer, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for the privilege of being Your messenger at times, even when people don’t want to receive the message. Help me be faithful, applying what You say in my own life and not thinking it just applies to others. Thank You for finally getting it through to me that I’m not smart, regardless of my IQ, and that wisdom comes from knowing I’m not wise on my own, but only to the degree I listen to You. May I be Your agent in every area of my life as You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!