THY KINGDOM COME
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’” Isaiah 30:15a, ESV
Theme: Humbly worshipping God means waiting for His direction, not my preference.
JUST STOP
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reading through the Book of Isaiah. Every day, there are at least two verses that prick my heart. And they always say the same thing, though in various ways. I cannot escape the Spirit nudging me. Let me show you:
When the Israelites were surrounded by the Assyrian army, they turned to other rescuers rather than the Lord. They made allies of the Egyptians and other pagan nations. They started making plans for both self-defense and aggression. “You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to Him who did it, or see Him who planned it long ago” (Isaiah 22:11, ESV). My ways and my plans are not God’s plan. My plans and His plans aren’t always the same. Sometimes, my approach is in direct opposition to His will. Even if it feels right, I must look to Him for approval and direction, not my own ideas, smart as they may seem.
Conversely, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV). The thing I am to do is just stop, focus on God, and trust in Him. My self-reliance and strategizing do not bring honor or joy to Him. Rather, my mediation and trust in Him are true worship. “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength’” (Isaiah 30:15a, ESV). No more striving, conniving, plotting, or struggling to do what is right: trust, wait, and rest...and God will come through as we do our job of worshipping Him.
GOD AWAITS
“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18, ESV
Have you longed to stop and wait on the Lord? If you are hurt, overwhelmed, weary, or confused, this is your next step. The benefits He outlines are amazing! When I am centered on Him, waiting on Him, letting Him plan my steps, my words, my comings and goings, He promises He will be gracious to me. I will both be blessed and be a blessing to others:
“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
a shelter from the storm,
like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:2, ESV
Make It Personal: Take time today to worship the Lord God in your own quiet time. Commit and submit your day to Him: your thoughts, your calendar, your words, your plans. The benefits are immediate: peace and His presence. The long-term benefits of walking in His way lead to others being blessed by your grace and wisdom. If you are willing to pray the Lord’s Prayer, and agree that you want His Kingdom to come, it starts with submitting yourself to worship God as He wants to be worshipped.
Pray: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Weekly Memory Verse: “He must increase but I must decrease.” John 3:30, ESV