THEIR STRENGTH IS TO SIT STILL.

 

JANUARY 12
 
Their strength is to sit still.
            Isaiah 30:7

 

To whom will these words apply?
 
Not to the sinner,
  who is still in his sins.
Nor to the seeker,
  who is seeking the Lord.
Nor yet to the backslider,
  who has wandered from God.
 
But to the Lord's people,
  who are in perplexity, and
    yet trusting in God;
  who are intimidated by foes,
    yet look to the Savior;
  who are filled with fear, and
    yet desire to walk worthy of their profession.
 
What can they do?
 
Flee! But whither?
Agitate and distress their souls!
 
What will they do?
Let them sit still.
 
But where shall they sit?
 
At the feet of Jesus, where Mary did.
 
On the rock of God's faithfulness,
  where David did;
  when the people speak of stoning him,
  “David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
 
In the tower of God's name,
  to which the righteous run and are safe,
Proverbs 18:10
 
Here let them rest, that is,
  believe God's word,
  watch his hand,
  wait his time,
  expect deliverance according to the promise,
  looked at Jesus and refuse to give way to fear,
  or foreboding, here is their strength.
 
For when they do so, God is engaged for them.
 
Jesus, on me the power bestow
To work, or rest, stand still, or go,
As thy design I see;
Redeem’d from natures hurrying strife,
I would not take one step in life
Without a beck from thee.
 
James Smith 1849