Quiet, Confident Faith

Quiet, Confident Faith

In quietness and confidence is your strength. Isaiah 30:15

SOME PEOPLE THINK THEIR STRENGTH is their work ethic. Others think it’s their ingenuity, talents, personality, or social skills. While all of those can be wonderful assets for succeeding in the working world—and even in the Kingdom of God—they are no substitutes for the strength of God that comes through faith. Though diligence is important, none of our busyness will bring us to a place of complete security. None of the character traits we rely on can move mountains, calm storms, and invite the supernatural work of God into our lives. Only faith can do that, and faith operates best in a climate of quietness and confidence. In fact, it helps create that climate. We are strongest when we are resting in the Lord.

That’s because no matter how industrious or ingenious we think we are, his strength is greater than ours. When we’re surrounded by problems bigger than ourselves, attacked by forces more relentless and intimidating than we are, or trapped in habits or influences that have proven to be stronger than us, we need outside help. We need to be able to access the power of God. And the only way to do that is by faith.

As we’ve seen, we can cultivate an atmosphere in which faith thrives by our worship—celebrating God’s goodness, resting in his strength and promises, and simply trusting him to deliver. In that atmosphere, prayer flows naturally and freely, and we see his faithfulness and promises more clearly. Like Jehoshaphat when Jerusalem was surrounded by three armies in 2 Chronicles 20, we can turn our gaze to him, declare that we don’t know what to do, listen to his voice, and send up the songs while he fights the battle. That response goes against all of our natural instincts, but it’s spiritually wise. It recognizes our utter dependence on him, his unrivaled power, and his desire to save. It wins through quietness and confidence.

Train yourself in that mental, emotional, and spiritual posture until it becomes your first response to a crisis. Base it on unwavering trust in God’s goodness and words. When you learn to rest in faith, you win victories that no amount of effort can accomplish.

O God, make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace.