IN QUIETNESS AND CONFIDENCE...

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For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15 NKJV)

A particular scenario in the bible fascinates me: 'And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.” So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.' (Acts 16:35-39)

Decades ago while I was a student, I was driving my renovated jalopy along Kilburn High Road in central London on my way home. Suddenly as we trudged along in the slow moving traffic, another newer car hit mine at the rear with a loud bang. I pulled out on the kerb to see the damage and an elderly lady pulled her car behind mine and came to me. She begged my pardon confessing that she mistakenly stepped on her speed throttle instead of the brake pedal to halt the car. I told her not to bother since it was an old car anyway. She gave me the address of her insurers, collected my phone number and we drove off. The following day, a garage called me and asked me to bring my car to them. My car was repaired far beyond the damage the accident caused it. 

A bible scholar analyses the above text scripture in the following manner: ' _Quietness_ refers to a state of repose, calmness, and freedom from anxiety. It implies a willingness to be still, to listen to God, and to trust in His plan. _Confidence_ refers to a confident trust in God's promises and power, rather than relying on one's own strength or worldly resources. _Strength_ here is not mere physical or worldly strength, but a spiritual strength that comes from a relationship with God. It is a strength that enables one to face challenges with peace and assurance'. 

Paul and Silas had superior power over the Philippian authorities who incarcerated them but chose not to wield it initially. Instead they trusted God to fight for them. After God delivered them, they showed their tormentors they had strength they never knew they had. Their captors  ended up bowing down to the higher power in their captives.

David had an opportunity to kill his arch adversary King Saul his hateful predecessor who had come to rest in the same cave where David was hiding from him. But David spared the King's life out of fear of God and knowing the Almighty God would later avenge him. Ultimately, it was King Saul who took his own life and not through David.

Our topic text encourages believers to cultivate a quiet and trusting spirit, finding their strength in God's presence and promises rather than in external sources. It suggests that true strength is not found in frantic activity but in a peaceful reliance on God. 

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