Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:50:45 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 15); BP: Is. 30; RBTTY: Mt. 10:21-42; Gen. 36-38
DEAR FELLOW PILGRIM:
It's come to my attention that some of you may be having a hard time reading "Morning Manna" since Hotmail switched to their new, "enriched text" format. If you are, please let me know and I'll be glad to send you a "plain text" version, which will not have the color, bold face, italic, etc. Thanks for your help in this. God bless you!
In Jesus' Precious Love,
Bro. Tom
January 15 “In Quiet Confidence”
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of
Isaiah 30:15a
Resting in Him brings renewal and His peace becomes the “still waters” of our soul.
When you read today’s Manna, what picture comes to your mind? What correlation is there between the words “returning and resting” and “quietness and confidence”? Do you picture yourself atop a majestic mountain peak somewhere with an idyllic view, sitting at the base of a towering pine tree as the wind swooshes through its boughs? Or, is your “peaceful place” sitting along the seashore as the sun melts into the sea, the evening breeze caressing your face and tousling your hair back and forth?
Regardless, the message is clear: “There remains a Rest to the People of God” (Heb. 4:9) and we should “labor to enter into that Rest” (Heb. 4:11a). In the context of our Manna the prophet Isaiah said “Woe to you” to the Israelites who’d strayed from their First Love and were trusting more in the Egyptians than they were the God of Abraham (vv.1-3). The Lord through Isaiah was reminding them “Their strength was to sit still” (v.7)—i.e., to be like Mary that day when Jesus came for a visit (Lk. 10:38-42).
Yet, sadly, “And you would not” (v.15b). Instead, they trusted more in fleet-footed horses, iron chariots and armies of flesh more than they did in the One Who’d repeatedly delivered them down through the years. Thus, the Lord’s wrath to them (and us) was to let them continue “adding sin to sin” until they finally realized the error of their ways and returned to Him (vv.1, 18).
Oh, dear Pilgrim, why do we wait until we’re totally exhausted before we “return (to Him) and rest”? We know the Master has invited us to “Come unto Him and He will give us rest” (Mt. 11:28-30); yet, still we wander from Him like wayward sheep, “growing weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9). What a gracious and merciful Lord we serve (Is. 30:18; Lam. 3:21-23)!
Yes, it is in “returning (Heb. ‘shuwbah’—‘to turn back, repent, return to the starting point, etc.’) and resting that we are saved (Heb. ‘yasha’—‘to be open, wide, free, succor, preserved, etc.’).” And, it is in our intimate “communion-union” with Him (Jn. 15:1-7) that we experience His “quietness (Heb. ‘shaqat’—‘to repose, be idle, be still, take rest, etc.’) and confidence (Heb. ‘bitchah’—‘trust, a place of refuse, security, assurance, etc.’), which become our strength (Heb. ‘gebuwrah’—‘victory, mastery, power, valor, might, etc.’).”
Isaiah had already told them “The Lord will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (Heb. ‘camak’—‘to prop up, lean upon, take hold of, etc.’) on Him” (Is. 26:3a). Why? Because “He trusts in Him” (v.3b). Hallelujah!! May we remember today the deepest pools are also usually the calmest ones. May we rest in Him today, allowing His Spirit to calm our hearts and minds throughout the day.
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