When we flee or run away from God’s will we find Him waiting ahead of us, at our destination, ready to be gracious and merciful while lifting us out of the miry messes we get ourselves into. How much better to wait for the Lord in rest and quietness than to have Him waiting for me at the end of a long, weary road. In Isaiah 30 we can read about God’s response to our running. He basically says, “You’re rebellious, and you are going to reap the consequences in a big way; however, at the end of it all, I will be waiting to graciously restore you”.
The Tragedy of Stubbornness
It all boils down to the fact that sometimes we refuse to stop being pigheaded and stubborn instead of listening to God. We learn in His Word that when we listen to God, He takes up our offenses, fights against our enemies, and takes care or our adversaries for us. Unfortunately, too many times, we want our rebellious ways to work out. We know that if we choose what’s best for us (obedience to God’s ways) our ways will have to be put aside. Tragically, we have no clue about the peace and joy and even utter happiness God so desperately wants to give us.
Of Course God Cares
What happens when we refuse the rest and calm that come from staying in the presence of God and trusting in Him? When we try to shoulder all of life on our own, we get into trouble in every area of our lives and cannot find any real joy no matter how much we search for it. We cling to the fear that we might not like what God has in store if we fully trust in Him and rest in Him. How silly is that? He made us! We were created to glorify Him and to bring Him glory. If we are obedient to Him, He is going to make sure we fulfill the very reason He created us. After all, how can we glorify Him if we are moping around because we found Him to be untrustworthy or unloving?
