I’ve heard the saying, “God helps those who helps themselves” as if it were Scriptural.

But it isn’t. Try a Google search. You won’t find a Bible verse that says that.

Yet, it’s been ingrained in our heads to work hard. And we should. But sometimes it is hard to know when we need to “do” and when we simply need to wait on God.

Maybe the answer is to wait before we do.

None of us are good at waiting these days–days of cell phones, drive-thrus, microwaves, and text messages. We don’t have to wait very long for anything. Impatient is our culture’s middle name–or first.

Read these words from Streams in the Desert:

Waiting upon God is vital in order to see Him and receive a vision from Him. And the amount of time spent before Him is also critical, for our hearts are like a photographer’s film–the longer exposed, the deeper the impression. For God’s vision to be impressed on our hearts, we must sit in stillness at His feet for quite a long time. Remember, the troubled surface of a lake will not reflect an image.

I know all too well what it’s like to try to fix things on my own. Usually my heart beats out of my chest; my head pounds trying to figure out the solution. And a knot makes itself home in my stomach.

Isaiah 30:15 is very clear, and deeper Bible word-study brings even more clarity. I love this! Are you ready?

 

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.” (NIV)

• The word “salvation” is the Hebrew word Yasa and it means to “save, rescue, deliver, help, preserve, give victory; to get help.”

Help.

It is not referring to eternal salvation in this verse, but physical help.

That is so cool. (I think.)

• “Quietness” is the Hebrew word Saqat. It means “to rest, be undisturbed, to be still, inactive.”

Inactive.

Being inactive is the hardest thing for some of us. But if we take this verse seriously, obediently, it is clear of how much we should do.

• “Trust” is translated from Bithah which means “confidence and hope.”

Confidence.

That’s a powerful word. Do we have confidence that God’s got it; He will work it out?

[bctt tweet=”Do we have confidence that God’s got it; He will work it out?” username=”wordsbyandylee”]

If we are struggling today. Problems surmounting. Nothing we do is working. The Bible gives us the solution from Isaiah 30: 15.

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

• Repent: Confess our lack of trust and trying to do it on our own.
• Rest: Give up. Do nothing. Take a nap. 
• Trust: Have confidence that God will help us. (We may have to pray for this confidence.)

Still your waters my friends. Reflect His image. He’ll help us.

 

I need to pray for us. Grab my hand.

“Oh Lord, we confess our worry and our attempts to fix our problems when you have the solution. Help us have confidence in you as we lay down our worries and stop trying. Make us strong. We love you. Amen.”

What do you need to stop doing and wait for God to do? Leave a comment. I’ll be praying!

Much Grace,

Andy