Be Quiet and Trust!By Nancy Boyle |
to model how a relational study is done and provide questions relating text to the FAW theme for individual or group use. |
It might be said that the core of Isaiah's preaching can be summed up in Isaiah 30:l5: salvation and strength are the consequence of firm trust and quiet confidence in God's abiding attention and concern. Amidst the swirling claims of clever politicians, deceitful prophets, crazed priests, and unjust rulers, there remains another way and the prophet never tires of insisting that it is the only way." (Interpretation).
This description of Judah in 500 BC sounds not unlike our tabloids of today! The Middle East in turmoil is a familiar part of our daily news. Judah enmeshed in controversy. Egypt and Assyria threatening the life of this small kingdom. Inconsistent leadership and a population filled with greed present a wide disparity between the very rich and the very poor.
The people of the covenant have lost their moorings. Have we? Where do we find time to be quiet, to return and rest, to rediscover God's concern for our lives? Is there a way?
I. Listen: Isaiah 30: 8-21
Read aloud the passages from Isaiah.
Read the passages in II Kings 19,20 for a picture of the times.(An interesting departure is the story of King Hezekiah and his tunnel, II Chronicles 32). Isaiah, prophet to several kings, proclaims the message of God's care and calls the people back to obedience. Use a commentary or a study Bible to put the passage in context. Read the passage again (8-21) and listen for your own sound. What words stand out to you? What speaks to your condition today?
II. Reflect: Exodus 19:3-5, Deuteronomy 4:32-39, I Peter 2:9-10, Isaiah 30.
These amazing passages in Exodus, Deuteronomy and I Peter remind us clearly who and whose we are! Have we lost that sound? The Isaiah passage we are working with seems to pose these questions:
Reflect also on the quiet places in your life (Isaiah 30:15,18). Think of the people who have modeled this kind of quiet trust to you.
III. Connect: Isaiah 30:18-21.
Draw a road to represent your life. Put the most significant events good and bad on it.
IV. Act:
As we are discovering on the road to renewal, action does not mean activity. We are given a chance to once again look at our stories, our experiences, our journey through life, and go deeper to the center where God is.
We are called to be a special people, running counter to our frenzied culture and choosing to take time to reflect, pray, journal and find rest for our souls. "In quietness and confidence shall be our strength." Read these passages mentioned above quietly and reflectively. Listen for the voice from behind.
Peter Gomes says of the Bible, "Interpretation is not simply a matter of technique...it Is a matter of trust. Trust the text, trust ourselves and others. Trust the Spirit. The idea here is that the text has something to say and that we may be able to hear what that is in terms that we can understand and appropriate."
Joyce Rupp, in her new book Dear Heart Come Home, speaks about prayer: "Coming Home to God is also coming home to our truest deepest selves. The more interiorly uncluttered and peaceful we become, the more we know our Home that is God."
Song for the Road: "Surely it is God who saves me, I will trust in God and not be afraid! For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense and God will be my Savior." Isaiah 12:2-6
Suggested Readings:
Nancy Boyle is a workshop leader, teacher and Christian Education Consultant living in Columbia SC.