I love how the words of Isaiah spoke to my heart today...
You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.” Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm will knock it down. Since it is made of deception, a flood will sweep it away...." (Isaiah 28:15-17a)
While reading, I realized how often I try to build a strong refuge for myself. And although it seems safe and secure at the moment, the fact that it is really made of up lies and deception make it no refuge at all. In fact, because of the builder (myself) and the materials used - lies and decption (like that I am strong, that I know best, etc) then this "refuge" is knocked down and swept away because of God's perfect justice and righteousness. Oh how I have experienced this countless times in my life. I love to have the reign of control on my life, yet I hate the effects of these control choices when I feel like life is "ironically" out of control.
So if I am not a qualified builder, then who is? "Therefore, this is what the Soverign LORD says, 'Look! I am placing a foundation in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken." (verse 16)
He is the refuge! And not just this, but he is the one who places himself, the foundation, in our lives! He is firm, tested, precious, a cornerstone that is safe to build on...and those belive in this refuge will never be shaken!
He is far better, perfect, safe, secure, trustworthy, strong than I could ever try to become or try to build on my own. He is the one who should be trusted...not myself or the things I do. When I try to take things into my hands, like Abraham and Sarah did when trying to receive the child God had promised, but not yet sent, this does not bring God's fulfilled promise. But when I trust and wait patiently, listening to the One who is wise knows what time is best for me, then God fulfills his promise to me, he gives, provides, and leads in his perfect timing so that he is glorified-not just when I praise him in my receiving, but when I praise him and trust him in my waiting.
I am his child, adopted, an heir, united with, and belonging to Him!
"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken... Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:1-2, 5-8
*verses from the New Living Translation (NLT)
