A Little Weekend Homework Assignment

UPDATE: I was floored by how many of you jumped into the classroom and participated in this assignment! (As of noon Monday, several hundred have yet to be moderated but you’ll see them posted soon.) Your papers were FABULOUS. You did exactly what we hoped. You gave the assignment thought and authenticity. My tremendously busy weekend only afforded me a perusal but I look so forward to getting deeper into the stack. You are amazing women. You blow my mind over and over. I wish so much you could all have been at staff prayer today because each coworker brought her homework for us to discuss. We also had a particularly fun and unique translation addition (remember how you were to check 3 translations?)  because I asked Melissa if she’d read it to us in Hebrew. We got such a charge out of it. It truly was beautiful. To me, one of the most intriguing insights from many of your papers was the varied forms fleeing can take. Those differences were also articulated in our staff circle today. Running takes all sorts of forms, doesn’t it, Sisters? Here’s what we can know: Only when we’re fleeing from God can the enemy catch us. And even then, if we’re in Christ, he cannot have us. Nor can he keep us. Our God be praised. Gotta get back to work! Bible study tomorrow night! I love you, Sisters! And I think about you daily. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!

 

 

Happy Friday, you wonderful things!

As soon as I push publish on this post, I’ll be heading out the door to the airport. I have a Life Today taping this weekend for the Wednesday program. (Two sessions tonight. Two in the morning.) Please pray for Jesus to fill us, teach us, heal us, and thrill us and that the group will be greatly responsive. Thank you! I do not know where I’d be without prayer. What I’m asking for in this Bible study ministry as a whole is something only Jesus can do. I need Him so much.

OK! So, this morning God impressed something on me in prayer time that I became convinced over the next hour He wanted me to share also with you. It’s coming in the way of a homework assignment I want to offer to any of you who’d like to participate. I have to be sparing in my words this morning because I have very little time but my heart is tremendously enlarged over it.

Here’s the ground rule: Please complete your assignment without reading any of the comments. Let’s resist any comparison or competition. Everybody who participates gets an A+. So you’re not tempted and so that you don’t get well into the assignment and lose your connection and your work, do it first on a Word document or the equivalent and then copy and paste it into your comment. I’m not looking for smart or scholarly sounding responses or ones that demonstrate impressive and great Spiritual prowess. I’m just looking for thought-out answers that are real.

You game? Me, too! OK, here goes. You do not need to include the questions or instructions in your answers but, for the sake of organization, please do list them by number. (1-6)

1. Please go to a website like Bible Gateway or to your Bible software if you have it and look up Isaiah 30:15-18. Please read it thoroughly in 3 different translations. In your response to this first exercise, please tell me what 3 translations you read then copy and paste the one that spoke the most blatantly to you. (In your answer you will have the abbreviations to three translations and then the full text in one of them. Make sense?)

2. Look up the word “threat” in any good English dictionary and write the full definition. After you write the definition, please share how it hits you and how you feel most threatened in this season, if at all. Keep in mind that nothing trips the switch on our insecurity like feeling threatened. Be careful as always in this community not to over-share by telling things about other people who wouldn’t necessarily appreciate it.

3. What does “fleeing” tend to look like in your life? In other words, how are you most prone to flee? And, are you in fleeing mode right now?

4. Compare or contrast the Isaiah text (30:15-18)  to 1 Peter 5:8-10 and James 4:7.

5. One of my translations this morning for this text was The Message. Here it is on the card I wrote out.

Do you perchance need to hear the words “settle down!” as much as I do? If so, why?

6. Finish your assignment with any particular personal insight you gained from it and, most of all, what you discern God is saying to you through it.

I love this kind of thing! If you don’t, I still love YOU. I will look so forward to reading many of your “papers.” Girl, I do dearly relish a classroom, and from both sides of the desk. Lindsee will be in town moderating your comments then I will start looking at them as soon as I finish up in Dallas.

PRAY FOR US! I LOVE YOU!!!

 

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590 Responses to “A Little Weekend Homework Assignment”

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  1. 501
    Laurie says:

    After I posted my assignment I remembered a story my husband’s friend told. He is a union carpenter and was sent to work at the Pittsburgh Zoo, in the lions habitat. He told of how the workers at the zoo assured him that the fence was secure and he would be safe. However, they went on to tell him about the systems that were in place just in case of an emergency. He said that the penetrating sound of the lion’s roar shook him to the bone, and that the lions were rarely quiet, and that he was extremely glad when that job came to a close. It made me think about Satan roaring. We are in his habitat. He roars. He wants to destroy us. He hates us. But God is our protection. He has given us all that we need to be protected from him. Peter talks about the reality of the threat…Satan wants to, well, eat us alive. James talks about standing firm, resisting him and that HE will flee from us. But that takes submitting our lives and will to God and being obedient to Him, and not allowing Satan any access to our lives by the way of sin. Israel had chosen not to follow the Lord and was being chased around the lion’s habitat. Because they refused to acknowledge God they had to rely on help that was not going to save them. I find it interesting that when we look at Satan, we see him as a threat and want to flee, but as God sees it, in His protection, we are the threat and Satan flees.

    • 501.1
      Terry says:

      Laurie, thanks so much for sharing that! Your last comment is the one that really struck me. So insightful! WE are the threat to Satan, not vice versa. “Safe in the arms of Jesus.”

  2. 502
    Audrey says:

    1. I read Isaiah 30:15-18 in the NCV, ESV, NIRV, NLT, NET, CEV, AMP, MSG and I liked the MSG and AMP for certain parts. Sorry for breaking the rules right off the bat, I was just curious about how others said it.
    The Message (MSG)
    15-17 God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: 
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
 Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me—The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.
 You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’ You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough! You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’ Do you think your pursuers ride old nags? Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker. Before a mere five you’ll all run off. There’ll be nothing left of you—a flagpole on a hill
    with no flag, a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    Amplified Bible (AMP)
    18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!
    2. threat ~ a declaration of an intention to inflict punishment, injury, etc., as in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; an indication or warning of probable trouble; a person or thing that threatens.
    Funny how retaliation has the word RELATION in it {REtaLiATION}. I only realized this because I accidentally typed RELATION first! But we are typically most threatened by those we have relationship with, aren’t we? Those who have the opportunity to point out our flaws, embarrass us, put us down, spread rumors that have a hint of truth to them, remind us that we’re not quite there, yet.
    I can’t think of a person I feel personally threatened by at this time…but I do feel like my own lack of self control is a threat on better time management ☹
    3. When I flee, typically I withdraw and avoid. I am typically a pretty joyful person and I’ve been praying for years for God to help me see the positive in people—the parts that reflect His person—so that I don’t get caught up in comparisons (that still happens, but with much less frequency). The enemy has used this to try to tempt happily married me into having thoughts about how so-and-so is really good at __________. I immediately cast the thoughts away because I know who they’re from, but also try to avoid that person so as not to give the enemy more fodder. On another note, when my husband and I have a disagreement, I usually withdraw for a time until I feel both of us have had time to discuss the disagreement with God and are more calm.
    Right now, I am not withdrawing, but I am avoiding.
    4. We cannot flee fast enough to outpace the devil, but if we cling to God, submitting to His ways, the devil cannot flee fast enough.
    5. Settle down??? I home school our two boys, so I’ve been thinking about how this school year is going to end (and when) and the how’s and what’s of the next few years and my mind has a hard time knowing when to stop. I can make brilliant plans, but the truth is, God may call either one of my boys (or me) home before they’re carried out. Heavens, He could come back before next week! So I have to step back and settle down. Make {loose} plans, allow Him to make the necessary changes, and trust Him.
    6. My husband and I are going through Financial Peace University and I’m trying to learn some better time usage techniques (pomodoro technique) along with all the regular life stuff. Lots of learning going on, but I’ve got to remember to say an absolute YES to God when He asks me to do something…not “just a minute” or “later today” or “maybe tomorrow”, but YES and immediately obey. That is where the blessing is because He absolutely knows what is best for me and for His kingdom. So as He teaches me new ways of handling money, time, emotions, etc., I want to, need to, say YES to His ways and not fall back on old habits that didn’t work all that well.

  3. 503
    Mandi says:

    (1)

    NASB

    NLT

    The Message hit me between the eyes. I love how blunt and to the point it is.

    God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right

    15-17 God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
    “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
    Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
    The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
    You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
    You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
    Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
    There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”

    18 But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
    God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    (2)

    threat
    /θrɛt/ Show Spelled

    noun
    1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace.

    2. an indication or warning of probable trouble.

    I live with Satan’s threat that I won’t be enough. Won’t do enough. I have two children under the age of two, and a job, and husband who I adore. My life is beautiful, but it’s hard to keep all the plates spinning.

    (3)

    Right now, fleeing is the act of abandonment. Abandoning my responsibilities, my roles. My great-grandmother ran away – leaving three children to be farmed off to family that would take them. To me, that is fleeing at the most basic level. Throwing your hands up and running.

    (4)

    The Isaiah passage focuses on your strength, your speed, your power. James says to draw close to God and He will protect you, He will refresh you, He will give you His strength. In all three passages there is trouble, but in the 1 Peter and James passages, there is still peace.

    (5)

    Yes! Settle down was my favorite part! As women, I think we try to buzz around and keep everything going, everything afloat, and God gets right to the point and says, “You’re wasting your time! Stop! I’ve got this under control. Let me handle it.” We get so wrapped up that we sometimes have to be hit between the eyes to get our attention. And all of that fretting and running is a complete waste of our time and energy.

    (6)

    This was so perfectly times for me. I wanted to have a quick quiet time with the Lord and didn’t have any materials to study, so I went to the computer and typed in this blog. And boom – there’s this post. Completely God-ordained. He wants me to stop relying on my strength and energies. I will fail if I try to handle it myself. That’s a guarantee. But He is offering His help, His council, His strength, His power. I just have to stop running away from the pressures of the day and run back to Him, who is waiting to help. The peace that washes over me is so refreshing. I love you Lord. You are my comfort, my strength, my safe place of rest. Nothing formed against me shall prosper. Thank you Lord.

  4. 504
    Michelle says:

    Thank you Beth for this assignment. I LOVED it. It has added great depth to my morning quiet time today!!

    1) NIV, MSG
    NIRV:

    The Lord and King is the Holy One of Israel. He says,

    “You will find peace and rest
    when you turn away from your sins and depend on me.
    You will receive the strength you need
    when you stay calm and trust in me.
    But you do not want to do what I tell you to.
    16 You said, ‘No. We’ll escape on horses.’
    So you will have to escape!
    You said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses.’
    So those who chase you will use faster horses!
    17 When one of them dares you to fight,
    a thousand of you will run away.
    When five of them dare you,
    all of you will run away.
    So few of you will be left that you will be
    like a flagpole on top of a mountain.
    You will be like only one banner on a hill.”
    18 But the Lord longs to show you his favour.
    He wants to give you his tender love.
    The Lord is a God who is always fair.
    Blessed are all those who wait for him to act!

    2)Threat: a statement of intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done.

    I must say that even reading the definition of “threat,” I am left feeling nervous and uneasy. I am not able to discern any “threats” in my life right now. I feel comfort and security, for which I am so thankful.

    3) Fleeing for me comes in the form of detachment. It is literally turning away and thinking about or doing something else, or even physically going somewhere else. I flee when I am faced with difficult choices. I flee when I am afraid of making a mistake. I flee when I am fearful – which must mean, I flee when I am not trusting the Lord!!!

    4) The Israelites first reaction to a threat was to humanly cope with their problem by running away from it. God asked them to trust in Him and to depend on Him – not to flee! 1 Peter 5:8-10 and James 4:7 describe why running away could never work. We are not only dealing with a human problem. We are dealing with a spiritual problem. Only God is big enough to guide us through and protect us from the effects of sin in our lives, and to redeem us from them!!! (and Amen that He is faithful to do that!)

    5) I often need to be reminded to “settle down” if only to be content and thankful for my present circumstance. I tend to keep striving, to attempt to see around the next corner rather than allow God to work today – just where he has placed me and needs me to be.

    6) I love these sorts of assignments. I love scripture and how it can speak to me, through generations, through circumstance, in pain, and in joy.
    I believe God is speaking to me today and reminding me to rest in Him, to know that my life is not a series of unrelated choices and events, but a tapestry of experiences that He is working together for His glory, for my good, and for the good of those my life touches. I can lean on Him rather than on my own strength, and I need not worry about next year (or next week!). I can only do my best with what I am given today!!

  5. 505
    Sally H. says:

    I submitted my study comments Jan. 27; just curious if I erred in some way. It was an awesome study.

  6. 506
    Jennifer says:

    Question 1) I read ESV, NLT and KJ
    ESV – this is the one that spoke to me the most
    For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,
    “In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
    But you were unwilling, and you said,
    “No! We will flee upon horses”;
    therefore you shall flee away;
    and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”;
    therefore your pursuers shall be swift.
    A thousand shall flee at the threat of one;
    at the threat of five you shall flee,
    till you are left
    like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,
    like a signal on a hill.
    Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,
    and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
    For the LORD is a God of justice;
    blessed are all those who wait for him.
    Question 2
    Pronunciation: thrĕt
    n. 1. The expression of an intention to inflict evil or injury on another; the declaration of an evil, loss, or pain to come;menace; threatening; denunciation.
    There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats.

    Noun 1. threat – something that is a source of danger; “earthquakes are a constant threat in Japan”
    Synonyms: menace

    2. threat – a warning that something unpleasant is imminent; “they were under threat of arrest”

    3. threat – declaration of an intention or a determination to inflict harm on another; “his threat to kill me was quite explicit”

    4. threat – a person who inspires fear or dread; “he was the terror of the neighborhood”
    Synonyms: terror, scourge

    What hits me the most about threat? That it is INTENTIONAL….that it is always lingering, for example, there is always a threat of earthquake in Japan. We can never get away for example of the threat of the enemy. When I am walking strong in the Lord, I do feel the threat of attack from the enemy sometimes, and mentally, he makes me think that he is stronger than God and I should be afraid of what he is going to do, or tempt my children or family with. But just as I typed that, I am reminded of the two scriptures I have chosen to memorize so far from 2 Cor 10:5 and Isa 40:29. Both of those apply to the concept of threats in my life.
    Question 3
    Fleeing for me means dropping away from devotions and fighting a rebellious spirit daily…which can turn to old ways of managing life and habits and behaviours (which I won’t give detail to here)…I find especially when I am in flee mode that translates into rebellion and the biggest area of rebellion I tend to is against my husband. I was on the verge of some area of flee or falling off the path recently, but praise God He is SO gracious and loving to me, He gave me power to use my 2 verses as strength even YESTERDAY and all day I told him how much I loved Him for the way He loves me!
    Question 4
    Compare or contrast the Isaiah text (30:15-18) to 1 Peter 5:8-10 and James 4:7.
    Comparison – LORD please help me get my thoughts down on paper here.
    As I compare these verses, I see the theme of our strength is always from the Lord…that there is always an enemy that desires to pursue us. Whether it be the armies and battles the Israelites had in the old testament or the devil as mentioned in the verses, of the NT. In Isa 30 and 1Pet I see that in both cases, God tells us that He will restore, he will strengthen, He desires to be gracious unto us. In fact, He WAITS in order to do so. Resisting (James 4) requires strength and as een in the other two verses, that can be found in God. All the verses mention a form of suffering, and in all cases, the solution, or relief is from God Himself.
    Contrast
    In Isa 30, I see that the Israelites were choosing to rebel, whereby in the other two verses the mention of resisting and requiring strength seems more to be related to trials and temptations from the enemy. In both cases, though, God still does provide a way, and He desires (waits) to provide mercy and grace to the people. Submitting ourselves (James 4) is to me, the opposite of rebellion. In Isa 30, the Israelites were the ones fleeing from their enemy, where in James 4, it was the enemy fleeing from the person who submits to God and resists him (the enemy). Also, when the Israelites were not resting, returning and trusting God for strength they appear to be alone (like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain)…
    Question 6
    Well I have never done a compare and contrast like this before and I had so many things that I thought about and learned that it was very hard to get my thoughts organized. I learned that often rebellion against God leaves us alone and isolated, that battle is going to happen no matter what, and that God always provides us strength to stand firm in all battles. BUT we have to choose that. Also, that He waits to be gracious and merciful to me? That it brings Him glory to show me mercy? (Isa 30: 18) How wonderful is that? I feel so incredibly loved from this. Suffering is inevitable, but my God wants to give me strength…makes me want to stand firm even more…

  7. 507
    Alyson M says:

    1. Read Translations: ESV, KJV, and NASB. I choose the NAS version –

    15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing, 16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift horses,” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift. 17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, Until you are left as a flag on a mountain top And as a signal on a hill.
    18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. – Isaiah 30:15-18 NASB

    2. Threat: An indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air. – http://www.dictionary.com

    This season of my life was been challenging. I’m trying to break free from the strongholds of OCD and severe Health Anxiety disorder. Every simple medical test I take is perceived as a threat because I fear to a very unhealthy point that the doctors will find something terrible like cancer. All my tests have always come up normal. If I don’t allow God to help me with overcome this, it will surely threaten my well being, my family, and marriage. A lot is at stake here. People who aren’t familiar with the disorder have a hard time understanding its difficult turning years and years of worry off. I know God is bigger than this. I truly believe I will overcome this with God’s strength and mercy. It’s just not as simple as I had hoped.

    3. Fleeing looks like avoidance to me. IA friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook the other day (not sure who the original author is): Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. Link your hope NOT to problem solving in this life, but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven. I’m fleeing the “discomforts” from life.

    4. Isaiah 30:15-18 – God offers us salvation and strength if we repent and trust in Him. However, maybe due to trust issues, selfish issues, worldly issues etc, we choose to do things are own way by running away from the problem. As we flee, satan is hot on our heels. We so easily succumb to fear. The amazing thing is that God, despite our distrust, still welcomes us back with open arms. His invitation to help us never expires. Thank GOD!
    1 Peter 5:8-10 – Be on alert because satan looks for any opportunity to attack us. We can stand firm in our faith against him because he is already been defeated. We don’t suffer alone. We may suffer for a time but God will utilize that experience to strengthen us.

    James 4:7 – I can’t sum it up better than the verse: “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

    In comparisons with all three verses: Don’t run away from the sufferings and trouble of this world. Satan would love nothing more for you to get so distraught in your current situation that you run away from the safety of the “herd” and run from the Sheppard. Sheep that stray from the herd will be vulnerable to predators. Resist the urge to run and satan will not be able to attack you. Submit your troubles to the Lord.

    5. I absolutely needed to read those words this morning! I have to learn to settle down and seek my assurance on the Lord. Wow….love how that was worded!

    6. I can’t tell you how much I needed this this morning. I’m in absolute tears because I feel God wanting me to so badly turn to Him and stop running away. I love God very much and believe in Him. But the area I struggle the most in with my relationship with Him is surrendering all my worries to him. For some reason, in my twisted mind, I think by worrying about things somehow gives me control over the situation but in reality it’s an imprisonment. I had an ultrasound of my abdomen done yesterday morning (just to check my gall bladder) and I’m anxiously waiting the results. Instead of wallowing and fretting about the results, I’m just going to give it to God.

    This was a great assignment! Thank you Beth!

  8. 508
    Peggy says:

    1For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that] One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill. And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (Isaiah 30:15-18 AMP)
    NIV
    NASB
    2. Threat a declaration of an intention to inflict punishment or injury in retaliation for, or conditionally upon some action or course; menace.
    3. Fleeing for me means retreating inwardly or going back to old bad habits, usually eating without being hungry.
    4. It reminds me that I must keep seeking God first and foremost and resisting all the bad things that the evil one wants to bring into my life.
    5. I loved the settle down, I really need to let God do what He needs to do.
    6. This verse reminds me of Isaiah 32:17 that says the effect of righteousness is quietness and confidence. I need to keep my focus on The Lord. I need to seek Him, seek Him ( I meant to say that twice for emphasis) resist the devil and wait for Him. God will act on my behalf but I need to wait for Him to act and I must resist the attacks of the evil one. I am waiting and hoping in The Lord. It means praying on my armor every morning and using it.

  9. 509
    Jill says:

    1) HCSB, ESV
    15 This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
    “Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
    In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.
    16 You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
    They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
    But the only swiftness you are going to see
    is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
    17 One of them will chase a thousand of you.
    Five of them will make all of you flee.
    You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
    or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
    Blessings for the Lord’s People

    18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
    For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.
    Isaiah 30:15-18 NLT

    2) threat – an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage. Menace, pressure, oppression.

    3)In my life “fleeing” is illustrated by escape into some other diversion. Social media, food (especially eating out), alcohol at times, obsessive reading of secular books, obsessive exercise at one (brief) period of fleeing. I am currently in various stages of fleeing and ‘checking out’ of life.

    4)Resist the devil with quiet confidence. We are not to flee, but wait on the Lord’s assistance. But God can cause the devil to flee. Wait – even if you are suffering – don’t try to fix it yourself. Wait quietly, confidently.

    5)I need to hear “settle down” because I am not patient or good at waiting, being quiet, or being confident. I have a propensity for anxiety and chaos.

    6)I feel God is saying “be patient”. It’s all on His time – I don’t have the ‘master clock’. Don’t be in a hurry. His timing is perfect and He will deliver me from the devil and his schemes if I will rest quietly and confidently. There may be suffering -others are having the same struggles – but God will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support me if I will just SETTLE DOWN!

  10. 510
    Erica E. says:

    1.) TNIV, The Message, and Amplified

    Amplified spoke the most to me:

    15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not,
    16 And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that]
    17 One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill.
    18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

    2.) threat
    Noun: a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc.

    Threatened that if I trust the Lord I won’t hear Him correctly and will fail. Threat that He will not show evidence of knowing my greatest heart desires, and that I in turn will not realize His goodness and sovereignty and be a failure for the Kingdom.

    3.) This hit me like a 2×4 in the head. I am prone to flee. Flee from trusting God when things aren’t easy. Flee from my new church because I’m having a hard time opening up and connecting. Flee from the dreams that He placed in my heart because they are scary and much bigger than me. I didn’t even realize all of that until now! Wow!

    4.) Amplified wins this one again- whew!

    These three passages lead me to one conclusion. I’m not supposed to flee, Satan is. I need to stand firm in the solid foundation that Christ laid down for me all those years ago. I need to seek His face for my strength to combat the devil’s plots against me.

    5.) ‘Settle down’ hits me hard too. Instead of condemning myself for not doing well in this fleeing area, I need to settle down and let Him handle it.

    6.) I need to do more of this guided study in my own personal quiet time! Thank you so much for showing me how wonderful this type of study is, I’m going to ask my accountability partner to do this with me once a month!

  11. 511
    Mindy says:

    1. NIV, MSG, and AMP

    Isaiah 30:15-18 (MSG)
    15 God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me – The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do. 16 You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’ You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough! You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’ Do you think your pursuers ride old nags? 17 Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker. Before a mere five you’ll all run off. There’ll be nothing left of you – a flagpole on a hill with no flag, a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.” 18 But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right – everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    2. threat:
    1) an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
    2) one that threatens
    3) an indication of something impending

    In this season, I feel an indication of something impending within my family. I believe God is telling me to stay put, but everything around me implies I need to move. The threat is to my obedience and inflicting fear (evil).

    3. Fleeing right now is me trying to do things my own way instead of trusting and obeying God and leaving the consequences to Him.

    4. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (MSG)
    8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. 9 Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. 10 The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ – eternal and glorious plans they are! – will have you put together and on your feet for good.
    James4:7 (NIV)
    7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

    I believe all three passages, remind us to trust God alone. The devil wants to hit us where it hurts and often times, we let him because we are not keeping are eyes on Jesus. We try to be the ones in control – doing things are own way as if we know what’s best for us. If we want to be witnesses for Christ, we have to trust Him with all that we are and all that we have. Otherwise, we are just being witnesses of our own stubbornness. (A flag pole with no flag.)

    5. Yes, because I get so anxious about our children and our finances that I forget Who is in complete control.

    6. All of the passages were a beautiful reminder that God is in control. He wants to be gracious to Me. He is just waiting for me to let my actions show what my mouth professes – He is merciful, kind, and loving, and He supplies what we need. He is able to do immeasurably more than I can hope or imagine!

  12. 512
    Pam says:

    Thank you Beth, as always you have made me think!!!

    I search passages in NET, HCSB, ASV Message. the one I that spoke to me was HCSB:

    Isiah 30: 15-18 – For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing” You say, “NO! We will escape on horses therefore you will escape! and,”We will ride on fast horses but those who pursue you will be faster. One thousand will flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you will flee, until you alone remain like a solitary pole on the mountaintop or a banner on a hill. Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for Him are happy.

    Threat n: A declaring of one’s intention to cause harm or loss to another person’s property or being or to limit one’s freedom to act in a unlawful voluntary manner.

    This research has taught me that when you sit down and really take the time to listen to God, he always meets you right where YOU are!!! We are the one’s who run, sometimes I think that God is standing in the middle of this circle and all of his children are running around him trying to fix whatever issue is happening at that time. I find myself waiting for the next ball to drop, I can feel it in my bones that something is going to happen and I pray that whatever it is I’m prepared.

  13. 513
    Jennifer says:

    1) 3 Translations:
    NIV
    KJV
    NLT

    Isaiah 30:15-18
    New Living Translation (NLT)
    15 This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
    “Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
    In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.
    16 You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
    They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
    But the only swiftness you are going to see
    is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
    17 One of them will chase a thousand of you.
    Five of them will make all of you flee.
    You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
    or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

    Blessings for the Lord’s People
    18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
    For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.

    2) Threat –
    1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace: He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.
    2.an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air.
    3.a person or thing that threatens.

    During this season, I feel threatened because my father recently passed away. It has allowed me to see how fragile our human life is. I used to believe that God would never allow bad things like that to happen to me, maybe because he didn’t think I could handle it or maybe because he cared too much to allow that pain in my life. Pretty selfish and naive I know, but I believed it nonetheless. When I first found out Dad was very sick, I believed with absolute certainty that he’d survive it, I never doubted it. I thought I knew God’s will, that he would act exactly how I believed he would. I realize now that I don’t know his sovereign will, his actions will not always be understood or easy. But I have to be ok with that anyways, I want to have the kind of relationship with him that no matter what happens I trust him and know that his ways are better than my ways. Even when it causes me pain. I feel like it fractured my heart in a bad way. And that threatens me because I have three kiddos and I am afraid that if something bad happened to them, if I had to watch them suffer or hurt like I watched my Dad, I am afraid that I wouldn’t be ok. That my relationship with God would be in trouble.

    3) Fleeing for me has always been withdrawing. I tend to withdraw inside my self and shut down intimately from my relationships. I also stop talking to God. Dad went in the hospital in June and passed away in September. I’ve been withdrawn since June.

    4) The three verses share a common theme: that we can’t stand alone without God, that He wants to help us, and that if we stand alone we are vulnerable.

    Isaiah 30:15-18 tells us to stop trying to do it by ourselves, 1 Peter 5:8-10 is telling us to Be Alert, and James 4:7 tells to be humble and resist.

    5) I needed to hear Settle Down, because I am always on the go, I am coordinator and a mentor for a teen mom ministry in my county and am busy, busy, busy. I could allow myself (and do sometimes) to just be busy and not deal with myself. When I read your note card this morning, I literally pictured myself sitting in Jesus’ lap and curling up just like my 3 year old likes to do in my lap. That’s a really good thought too.

    6) The last verse of Isaiah 30:15-18
    So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
    For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.
    sprang off the computer screen at me this morning. Because God knew I needed to hear those words.

  14. 514
    LoriAngela says:

    Isaiah 30:15-18

    King James
    New Revised Standard
    The Message:
    15-17 
    God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 
    But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    2.Threat: Oxford English Dictionary
    noun
    1a statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done: members of her family have received death threats


    Law a menace of bodily harm, such as may restrain a person’s freedom of action.
    2a person or thing likely to cause damage or danger: hurricane damage poses a major threat to many coastal communities


    [in singular] the possibility of trouble, danger, or ruin: the company faces the threat of liquidation proceedings

[mass noun]: thousands of rail freight jobs came under threat

    3.The biggest threat to me right now is managing my energy to include my family, friends, church and the projects I want to be involved with for my own good and the good of my communities. If I get too deep, I risk losing one aspect of my community, or being knocked off my horse. This time I have chosen to share my faith in a quiet way, small group, direct contact, in hopes of not being labelled “threatening” or “power hungry”. I just want to nurture and find those who feel they can nurture me and each other.

    4. In my life, “fleeing” is more like cocooning. I close myself to my home and family and few close friends and lick my wounds and nest.
    5. I am in stretching mode right now.
    6. I feel the infinite possibilities of sharing the word and practices of faith. I am filled with ideas to make faith practices relevant to my Sunday School kids, the Youth Group, my small Bible Study group, and in my work as an RN in Hospice. I want to read all the books, study all the texts and build a community of quiet and wonder-filled faith.
    But my husband is worried for me. At the beginning of a new year or a new project, I cannot see the risk of burn out, disappointment and despair. He has seen it as others have tried to clip my wings, failed to attend gatherings and just not shared the vision of openness.
    This year I vow to live with an open heart. To give when I’m not sure it is expected. To decorate and celebrate the holidays and events. To connect people who share the vision that I am trying to articulate.
    Continue to grow a charity knitting group through helping each other learn (instead of “free lessons”), Small group study of faith practices and Bible study (instead of pulpit supply), being part of the Sunday School team to connect with the kids and teachers, and maybe developing a new Youth Group for the kids just graduating from Elementary School, so they can dream of growing up, and see themselves as a community of faith.
    But I must take time to cook with my husband, walk the dog, go to yoga and do crossword puzzles with my mom.

  15. 515
    Vickie says:

    Beth,

    What a beautiful assignment that I haven’t done, I’ve been too busy reading everyone else’s homework! Yep, I’m one of those, Lord, please forgive me. The comments are like unopened Christmas gifts to me. DO NOT leave me alone with an unopened gift, for me, I WILL OPEN IT! I got post-it-notes, push pins and rubberbands last year, my “real” gift was hidden from me. Please pray I have more self-discipline this year, afterall, I’ll be 48 this year, such a childish behavior….its embarrassing.

    These comments are OFF THE CHARTS in wisdom and insight. I LOVE this blog family. The transparency, the raw heart of emotion has had me crying several times and I’ve read maybe 100 or so. We are so blessed by God through each other. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord for each of these souls. We are so loved.

    • 515.1
      Pat says:

      I agree Vickie! I have loved reading others’ posts and learning from everyone’s insights! God is so good! 🙂

  16. 516
    Rachel says:

    1. NJKV, NIV, NLT
    Isaiah 30:15-18 = NLT
    This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle, ‘ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.” So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

    2. Threat – A statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not. Someone who might defeat you or might cause problems for you.
    My threat is not serious, but in my relationship with my husband I feel like we sometimes, not all the time. Are retaliating and are combative with our words, especially when we aren’t getting our way or the other person doesn’t like our actions or the actions we did not take.

    3. Fleeing in my life looks like me taking actions in my own hands and retaliating back – having to get the last word or saying negative things, or sometimes just shutting off completely to others.

    4. 1 Peter 5:8-10 NLT – “STAY ALERT”
    James 4:7 – Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – I have the power to control my thoughts and actions!

    5. Yes, I need those words SETTLE DOWN. I’m so quick to be looking for my actions/responses and filling my to do list with all the things I think will fix my problems (and many of them include godly things) but all I need to do is “settle down in complete dependence on him”. – So much easier said than done!

    6. My insight for today. Don’t worry about doing all the right things – reading bible, studying bible, praying x amount of mins/hrs – memorizing verses…those are all good things, but “my child” I want you to just depend on me. – don’t try and do things on your own.

  17. 517
    Monica says:

    1. NIV
    HCSB
    ESV

    Isaiah 30:15-18 (HCSB)
    15 For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said:
    “You will be delivered by returning and resting;
    your strength will lie in quiet confidence.
    But you are not willing.”
    16 You say, “No!
    We will escape on horses”—
    therefore you will escape!—
    and, “We will ride on fast horses”—
    but those who pursue you will be faster.
    17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one,
    at the threat of five you will flee,
    until you alone remain
    like a solitary pole on a mountaintop
    or a banner on a hill.
    The LORD’s Mercy to Israel
    18 Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy,
    and is rising up to show you compassion,
    for the LORD is a just God.
    All who wait patiently for Him are happy.

    2. Definition of THREAT
    1: an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
    2: one that threatens
    3: an indication of something impending
    Origin of THREAT
    Middle English thret coercion, threat, from Old English thrēat coercion; akin to Middle High German drōz annoyance, Latin trudere to push, thrust

    3. Fleeing: I flee by avoidance! I avoid conflict, I avoid situations that cause me stress, I avoid situations that cause me fear, I avoid trying new things because I might not be good at them! This has been the story of my life BUT Praise be to God – He’s been taking me on a journey these past 5 years where I have had to face some very challenging things and He’s brought me through (not quite done yet, but we are on our way!). SO, I think I’ve experienced some healing in this area – still have a ways to go but I’m very hopeful!
    4. When we flee – satan chases us – BUT if we stand Firm (on Jesus and His Word) satan will FLEE from us! When we flee (run away), we’re usually running towards something else – and that’s usually not God – no wonder, we are in trouble so much of the time!

    5. I’ve been aching to SETTLE DOWN for the past 5 years – I so wanted God to do a miracle in my life – restore my marriage (even after the divorce was final). I have wrestled, pleaded, begged, and negotiated with God for a miracle and it has only really been in the last few (couple) months that a peace of settling down has come over me – it’s truly a gift from God. Yes, still have moments of ‘PLEASE God’ but nearly as many as before. I’m so thankful that ‘the God of ALL grace has personally restored, established, strengthened and supported’ me and brought me to this place.

    6. LOVE the settling down concept. Hadn’t thought of it like this before – God wants me to SETTLE DOWN. Trust Him, wait on Him, hope in Him – He will complete the work He’s begun in me!
    Thanks for this homework Beth! I’m passing it on to my ‘Beth’ ladies to do if they want. (they’re not really blog readers )

  18. 518
    Sara Freeman says:

    1. NET, MSG, and AMP. For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning to Me and resting in Me you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that] One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill. And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (Isaiah 30:15-18 AMP)
    2. Definition of THREAT – 1: an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage. 2: one that threatens. 3: an indication of something impending. I feel threatened in the sense of something impeding in my life – the changes that come along with being a mom to three little boys, an only child myself, with a husband who travels frequently for work. After a complicated pregnancy, 5.5 months of bedrest, life threatening complications at birth for both of us, and a prolonged recovery, part of my flesh wonders why God is allowing all of this to happen. It feels very threatening – He may not intend to inflict injury or damage on me but He is allowing it and I long be past it and to see the purpose.
    3. Fleeing – looks like avoiding, ignoring, putting off, not talking about it. And at its saddest form, withdrawing from God.
    4. When I stand firm in faith, it is the enemy who will feel threatened and flee.
    5. I need to settle down – God will make me what I ought to be.
    6. In the spirit of 1 Peter 5:9-10 (AMP) … I need to be firm in faith [rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined] – focused on truth. I need to remember that sufferings are appointed to the whole body of Christians throughout the world. And after I have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called me to His own eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself: complete me, and make me what I ought to be, establish me and ground me securely, and strengthen me, and settle me.

  19. 519
    Pam says:

    1. Isaiah 30:15-18 NIV, The Message, NET
    New International Version (NIV)
    15 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.
    16 You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’
    Therefore you will flee!
    You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’
    Therefore your pursuers will be swift!
    17 A thousand will flee
    at the threat of one;
    at the threat of five
    you will all flee away,
    till you are left
    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
    like a banner on a hill.”
    18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
    For the LORD is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him!
    2. threat—1. An expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage 2. One that threatens 3. An indication of something impending.
    I am in the menopausal season of transition that does feel like a threat to my overall wellbeing.
    3. I flee from going deeper in relationships. It always is an effort to join the group, but especially in the winter months when hibernation is so appealing.
    4. 1 Peter 5:8-10
    New International Version (NIV)
    8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
    10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
    James 4:7
    New International Version (NIV)
    7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
    These verses all show that God is for us. They highlight the devil as the one who makes threats and who is the one who will flee as we submit to God and resist the devil.
    5. I need to settle down in complete dependence on God when I feel uneasy as I wait for the other shoe to drop. When has my God ever not walked with me through the valley of the shadow? He has been, is, and always will be, faithful to me.
    6. I recognize my natural bent of wanting to flee instead of engage in deeper relationship. Lord help me to engage anyway.

  20. 520
    Jenni says:

    1)I read the passage in the NIV, AMP and the MSG. The AMP is what most spoke to me…but do y’all really want me to copy and paste it all? 🙂 Ok, here it is!

    15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not,
    16 And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that]
    17 One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill.
    18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

    2) Threat: (I found this interesting definition through a google search) “What is THREAT?
    In criminal law. A menace; a declaration of one’s purpose or intention to work injury to the person, property, or rights of another. A threat has been defined to be any menace of such a nature and extent as to unsettle the mind of the person on whom it operates, and to take away from his acts that free, voluntary action which alone constitutes consent.

    “Unsettle the mind of the person on whom it operates”–the biggest threat to me right now is the constant attempts of the enemy to distract me from what God is speaking into my life. This occurs much through the electronic overload of cell phone and computer that I allow :-/ into my life. I get distracted from what He’s said in my quiet time in the morning and then feel disconnected from the fellowship of the Spirit in the thread of my day. Then I feel crummy…my mind is unsettled.

    3)What does fleeing look like in my life? Hmmm. I guess my fleeing would be, b/c of the distractions that show me situations that spin me into head trips or worries, fleeing looks like running to friends to vent my anxieties over a situation rather that getting on my knees and tuning back into God’s voice. Getting stirred up by outside things that He hasn’t directed my attention to. It can even be (and often is!) GOOD things that yet aren’t necessarily His priorities for me…that distract me from the things that are.

    4)Contrasting with the other verses: rather than fleeing, we are to resist and stand firm. If we don’t “return and rest…in quietness and confidence”, we can be prone to anxiety brought on by the threat and end up fleeing. When we resist, firm in the faith, submitted to God, drawing near to Him..the ENEMY flees. And God’s will is done.

    5) This confirms the “birthday verses” God gave me about 8 months ago…Isaiah 8:11-13. He told me to quit listening to outside influences (in other words, shut off the electronic overload) that stir me up to fear or even just good distractions, and instead to “recognize the authority of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies…HIM shall you fear, HIM shall you dread” (I think I just jumbled translations). In other words, eyes on the skies and ears to HIS words, b/c He’s all that matters. The only input that truly is my responsibility is what He says to me through His Word and the real, living breathing people He has around me. The visual is of Him grabbing my face in His hands and saying, “Eyes on ME.” Since then I have been “unplugging” one day a week and turning my phone off much more often for stretches during the day (much to the chagrin of my family members who don’t quite understand, smile). I love the peace this brings to my mind.

    6) Personal insights: I love that when I rest in Him (complete dependence on Him, MSG)I am saved and strong. That waiting for Him brings “His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship”! (v. 18b). This is the sweetest confirmation into my day, Beth…thank you for the homework assignment!

  21. 521
    katiegfromtennessee says:

    Isaiah 30:15-18
    English Standard Version (ESV)
    15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
    “In returning[a] and rest you shall be saved;in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”But you were unwilling, 16 and you said,“No! We will flee upon horses”; therefore you shall flee away;and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”;therefore your pursuers shall be swift.
    17 A thousand shall flee at the threat of one;at the threat of five you shall flee,till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain,like a signal on a hill.
    The Lord Will Be Gracious
    18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
    Footnotes:
    a.Isaiah 30:15 Or repentance

    the definition for “threat” that I found, one of the definitions was “one that threatens”. It made me think of the fact that the enemy tries to threaten me, trying to make me doubt God’s ability to keep me from stumbling; or His attributes, like His faithfulness and His Goodness. It’s like the enemy is trying to intimidate me, and make me think that I will not ever be healed in certain areas long term, but I know that the Lord’s power is great. Greater is He Who lives in me than he who is in the world. As a child of God, I already have everything in Him that pertains to life and godliness. His resurrection power…Working from victory, right?:) I should trust in what God says, and not pay attention to the enemy’s threats.
    Fleeing for me is more like subtly drifting away from Him. I have a very real awareness that without Him, I can’t function, like do anything. It’s the subtleness of the pull of too much tv, shopping, eating certain foods, or the lack of making a quiet time a priority daily that adds up and draws me away from intimacy with Him to what I think can amount to idolatry. Loving something or someone more than Him in my affections. Who or what am I completely obsessed over? Is He the One I’m really worshipping? It’s something that my pastor says can eventually lead us to leave our first Love, which is very alarming to me. His nearness is my absolute good. I need Him, and I know it…
    The three passages of scripture are all related in theme I think. They are about submitting to Him, and returning to Him in genuine repentance, in order to stand firm, and really live in a way that glorifies Him, and is for our greatest good. I love that about Him. He loves me and desires my greatest good. Even in discipline (discipling) me, His heart is one of love. I need to know that. He warns us when we stray because He loves us. I’m so overwhelmed by that, and I want to love Him more than I do now. I very much desire that, a closer intimacy with Him. He says that in repentance and rest, and in quietness and trust is my strength (that comes from Him.) Submitting to His instructions, and resisting the devil with make the enemy flee. That’s a promise! I am also reminded that I need to be sober and vigilant. The enemy hates me. He doesn’t want to see my life glorify God. But, the Lord is for me, this I know…
    I definitely need to hear “SETTLE DOWN” as much as you do! I need to trust Him completely, and know that He is ABLE! I need to be completely dependent on Him, living in the power of the Spirit, and not in the power of my flesh, which leads to nothing but sin and discouragement, defeated thinking, unbelief and depression in my case. NOT a good place to be! I want to live in the fullness of the Spirit every day, EVERY DAY!…It’s the only way for victorious living. Thoughts captive to Him, and living a Spirit-filled life DAILY. Moment by moment…
    When I read 1 Peter 5:8-10, the word “grace” made me remember another Scripture that was sent to me by my pastor recently in a card in the mail. My birthday is in Jan., so earlier this month was when I received that card, it had this scripture referenced in it: 1 Corinthians 15:10. By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain…And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. This has to mean that His grace is very important. I’m also remembering in Hebrews where it says to boldly come before the throne of Grace to receive mercy and grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16)…
    I’m glad I did this assignment. His Word I need to be in like this more than I am in it. BIGGEST ((HUGS)) to you, Siesta Mama Beth.

    • 521.1
      katiegfromtennessee says:

      Oops, I forgot! the other two translations I looked at for the Isaiah passage was the HCSB and the NASB.

  22. 522
    Kristin says:

    1. NIV
    NLT
    MSG, “GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
    “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
    Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
    The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
    You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
    You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
    Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
    There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
    GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.”

    2. threat
    a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, orconditionally upon, some action or course; menace:

    3. I feel threatened by a family member. Not in a physical way, but she seems to be at a plateau in her Christian walk and has been for a very long time. As my sister and I are growing in our faith, it feels like this family member is not moving at all. So, she doesn’t really understand the radical things I want to do, like going into ministry and going to a college to major in discipleship instead of going into education at a prestigious state school. I feel like she doesn’t understand why we want to do the things we do and she holds it over our heads and makes us feel guilty because she doesn’t get it.

    4. I flee when I get complacent. I start to coast and lose sight of what’s important. I am actually out of fleeing mode for the first time in a year. It feels so wonderful to have my fire reignited for Christ and to dig back deep into His word, when I was fleeing for about 9 months.

    5. Both Isaiah and 1 Peter end with saying that God isn’t finished. He is still good and sovereign and He will complete everything He has started in you.
    James 4 talks about the Devil fleeing, if we come close to God. When we come close to Him, He is able to finish what He started.

    6. I’m at a very trivial part in my life. I’m 18 years old, second semester of my senior year, already applied to colleges to be a teacher, and I’m pretty sure I feel a call into women’s ministry. It’s very difficult for me because I had always wanted to participate in women’s ministry, but I never thought it would be my career. I love the part of Isaiah 30:18, “But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.” It is reminding me not to flee from the process God has started in me, because He will finish it and He will be faithful to me if He is calling me to do His work.

  23. 523
    Karen Todd says:

    I.
    The Message Bible
    God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right
    15-17
    God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
 has this solemn counsel:
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
 and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
 in complete dependence on me—
The very thing
 you’ve been unwilling to do.
You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
 You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
 Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
 Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
There’ll be nothing left of you—
 a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
 a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
 He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
 Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    NIV and New King James Version

    2.
    Threat ~ the possibility of trouble, danger, or ruin:
    One of my Biggest fear or threat at this moment in my life is in our business. We are in retail and in 40+ years in a family business we have had the worse year ever this year. We are faced with possible lay offs and I have prayed so much for the business, and for our family which all work in the business with us along with about 10 other employees. We love our employees and just to think we might have to lay someone off hurts and just puts so much fear in me. These folks have families and they are family to us because they have worked for us for 5+ years each. My family works in the business and I am concerned.

    3.
    Fleeing ~ Fleeing in my life looks a lot like me avoiding conflict at all cost. I will avoid conflict unless I am cornered and can not escape. I will also shut down and not engage in conversations.

    4. I Peter 8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

    James 4: 7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

    I see as the contrast that the only way you can have salvation and rest is in God. We need to let God work His will in us. In Isaiah he reminds us that when we rest in God that He will keep us. Dependence on God will give us strength and this strength is what we need to make it.

    I feel God is telling me to rest in Him and to trust my life including the family business to Him He will supply all my needs and I will have the faith that God will work it all out for His glory.

  24. 524
    Alicia K says:

    1. I looked up NET, ESV, and NLT with the NLT standing out: “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.” So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

    2. Threat: A declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course.
    I am grieved because the first thing that comes to mind is God. I feel like He is the one who is determined to inflict punishment on me because I have more questions and fears for Him than faith or even praise. I feel threatened to share any of this with friends from church because church feels like the place that I need to have my act together. Or, if I do confess some of my questions, I need to have them all neatly resolved with a Bible verse and a prayer in 10 minutes or less, no tears please.

    3. Fleeing looks like worry. It looks like a hamster on a wheel, trying to run to keep up but the wheel is turning so fast that the hamster feels more like it’s in a clothes dryer. My husband pointed out that in a twisted way, I get life from worrying. It’s like I buy into the lie that by obsessing over the future, our finances, the world around me, etc, then they will all be ok. I’m in control when my life feels out of control with anxiety over these things. Thus, I flee from God’s truth, God’s love, God’s sovereignty … and get so far away I wonder if I’m His anymore. In short, YES I’m in flee mode. And I’m exhausted.

    4. I see myself in danger of becoming devil-bait, ready to be devoured. But it is a relief to hear Peter’s words that I have Christian brothers and sisters all over the world who are facing the same trials. I’m not a freak. And though I feel so alone and left out to dry by God sometimes, I find hope in the verse that says after a while, God will restore me. I was just telling my best friend tonight that though some of my own doubts and fears scare me, I have this “sixth sense” of hope that this isn’t forever. God is going to bring me through this.
    As far as the James verse goes, it’s interested to see how God tells the Israelites that they will be so afraid that they will flee at the sound of one warrior … yet in James, God tells us that when we resist the devil, he is the one to flee!! It is a marked sign of Christ’s power in our lives that the devil would be the one to flee from us – rather than we from him!

    5. I do, oh how I do. I think my answers above speak to why. I think (and hope) that God is throwing up His hands at my antics and saying “SETTLE IT DOWN, GIRL. IT’S OK. YOU ARE OK. JUST CHILL.” That would be music to my ears.

    6. I’ve never thought of my worrying as a way to flee from God until I started typing it out. It also feels enormously refreshing to be so honest with you all…probably because I didn’t read the answers (thus no way to compare – great advice Ms. Beth!) and because there’s a sense of freedom that comes with the relative anonymity in a myriad of comments. I want to learn a new way of thinking that doesn’t involve worry but does involve the Lord. In some strange way, it feels like worry and fear are my way of letting God know that I really do care – but it’s perverted. It’s more like worry is my way to be god in a situation.

  25. 525
    melody s. says:

    Isaiah 30:15-18 NIV, MSG, NLT

    This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
    So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. Isaiah 30:15-18 NLT

    2) Definition of THREAT

    : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage

    : one that threatens

    : an indication of something impending

    How I feel “threatened? Where God wants the direction of my life to go will be hindered by my own insecurities & fears, strong resistance to those close to me & that I will not have enough patience & perseverance to allow God to work in His time & not mine. I am asking for change but it hasn’t come as quickly as I hoped….should I really be asking for it? What if God answered me & I found myself more unhappy because it was not in His ultimate will?

    3) Fleeing from fear, anxiety & worry…working towards peace of mind & having necessary conversations & picking my battles

    4) 1Peter 5:8-10…Part B to Isaiah text…once I decide to quit being the one to flee & instead stand on the ground God has laid down for me I will truly experience the strength & steadfastness that comes from suffering for Christ.
    James 4:7…If I am obedient to Christ than Satan will have no choice but to run the other way! That word “obedient” has been on my radar lately & I know that is an area God wants me to spend time working on. I may not be intentional disobedient but I can also be more prompt in obeying Him on certain things 🙂
    5) Settle down means to me to take a step back & show patience & restraint & faith in knowing God is in control & I trust Him wholeheartedly. I have the tendency to try to “fix” things & and/or have an opinion on how to fix it & jump ahead of God may be trying to teach me….it has been in my journey not the start or finish of something.
    6) Some of the takeaways I’ve learned from this is most importantly, without Christ I will have no direction, no compass & therefore no purpose.
    My relationship with Him cannot be passive from my end. I must make deliberate choices every day to move closer to Him in a humble manner, not talking about it with everyone. As my heart changes than it will be reflected thru out all parts of my life.
    True Strength comes only from waiting…resting…being still…listening…then following God’s direction for me.

  26. 526
    Brenda Cornelio says:

    1. NIV 1984, The Message, New King James
    Isaiah 30:15-18
    The Message (MSG)
    God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right
    15-17 GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
    “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
    Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
    The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
    You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
    You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
    Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
    There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
    GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    2. 1threat
    noun \ˈthret\
    Definition of THREAT
    1: an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
    2: one that threatens
    3: an indication of something impending
    At first, I didn’t think that I had anything in my life that related to the first definition involving evil, injury, or damage, but then a split second later I remembered the times we are living in and the culture which is indeed evil, wants to bring injury or damage to those who follow Christ and believe the Bible, giving us labels such as intolerant, judgmental, ignorant, archaic. This is not a threat that can be erased but is destined by these End Times to only increase in its intensity and its power. On a more personal level, definition #3 speaks more to my situation, “an indication of something impending…” I am not much younger than Beth is, and I feel threatened that things I have done in ministry will come to an end simply because of my age. My husband and I were part of our original contemporary worship team in 1994 and we still serve; we are scheduled more than anyone else by our worship pastor. I have coordinated the women’s Bible studies for 10 years and have sensed that it was time to let that go, so I will co-coordinate with the one I have asked to take that over in the fall. No one has said that I need to step down from anything, and there are women of all ages in service with plenty of others who are older than I still serving in the same capacities, but I do feel threatened by those who are younger, prettier, and thinner. I absolutely know that there is no retirement in the service of the Lord and that there will always be a place for me and for others like me, even that perhaps there is a special place for those of us who are older to speak truth into the lives of those who are younger, but this is just how I feel at times.
    3. Interesting that this question mentions “fleeing” when I just wrote that I asked someone to take my leadership position as women’s Bible study coordinator! Am I fleeing? This was my choice and our church is implementing a new Growth Group leader soon, so she can start new and fresh, and I hope to still be a group leader if she asks me, but maybe I am fleeing before anyone asks me to step down.
    4. These verses also encourage us to not give in to threats, to the devil, but to stand firm and allow God to be our strength. Let Satan be the one to flee! These verses are also a call to remain pure and righteous in an ever-darkening world.
    5. I’m not sure I hear “settle down” as much as “stay alert.”
    6. The evil times we live in will continue to threaten us, but I am reminded of I John 4:4:
    1 John 4:4
    New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
    4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
    I also find these verses extremely encouraging. I never tire of being reminded that in the end, we win! We have already won if we follow Jesus since He won it all on the cross. At the same time, we need to be diligent and not rest in our victory but continue to serve as we rest in God to bring us through until the day we celebrate the victory at His throne.

  27. 527
    Denise Ferrell says:

    Denise Ferrell. Definition of threat.. to me is a pending elective surgery.. so many things to worry about.. knowing an ordinary day requires God’s protection just like a surgery day.. Fleeing for me looks like finding something else to do… something useful.. but not what I need to be doing. The kids in my class do this all the time as well.. but I was helping… etc etc.. I was.. and I say.. what were you asked to do? It doesn’t matter how wonderful the thing you think of to do it.. what YOU ask us to do is the thing.

    The Message (MSG)
    15-17 God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: 
“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
 Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me—The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.
 You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’ You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough! You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’ Do you think your pursuers ride old nags? Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker. Before a mere five you’ll all run off. There’ll be nothing left of you—a flagpole on a hill
    with no flag, a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”

  28. 528
    DeeDee says:

    1. Read: NLT; MSG; NET.

    Isaiah 30:15-18 (New Living Translation)

    15 This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
    “Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
    In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.
    16 You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
    They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
    But the only swiftness you are going to see
    is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
    17 One of them will chase a thousand of you.
    Five of them will make all of you flee.
    You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
    or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

    Blessings for the Lord’s People

    18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
    For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.
    2. It makes me have more compassion on those who are lost.
    There are those who do not know the Word of God. Those who are already deceived have a mission to convert the weak to what is false. That is a “threat” to the body of Christ.
    I feel there needs to be an outcry for the body of Christ to be strengthened. The enemy is trying hard to oppress, but the LORD is full of love and compassion. He is waiting for us to come to Him so He can show how faithful He is.
    3. “Fleeing” in my life would be a strong urge to get away from something or someone because I feel that my life is in imminent danger; I would be prone to just leave the environment that sets a tone of threat to my life. I bless the LORD that I am not in a fleeing mode in my life. Although, I was at one time in my life, that caused me to flee in a hurry.
    4. Isaiah is speaking to a rebellious people and warns them of what will happen to them if they do not turn to the LORD. But God; He patiently awaits for the one who will turn towards Him.
    Peter & James – Speak to turning away from,and resisting the enemy and submitting to God. After which the God of all grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us in the faith. What a glorious promise!
    5. OMG! I so need to “SETTLE DOWN”. It is in the LORD that my strength lies. It all reminds me of that song: “People Need the Lord” by Steve Green. We can’t do anything without the LORD as “Chief” and “King” of our lives. Oh, how I need Him to ‘settle my heart’ so that I can reflect more on Him and not myself. He is the recovery of my life.
    6. God is saying to me I’ve heard your outcries, now let Me handle your battles. Don’t be threatened by the cares of this world. Cast your cares on Me for I careth for you daughter of Zion.

  29. 529
    Ange says:

    1. NET; NASB; NIV

    Isaiah 30:15-18
    New American Standard Bible (NASB)
    15 For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
    “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.”
    But you were not willing,16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,”
    Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift horses,”
    Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift. 17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, Until you are left as a flag on a mountain top; And as a signal on a hill. 18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.
    2. Threat: an expression of intention to hurt, destroy, punish, etc. as in retaliation or intimidation; an indication of imminent danger, harm, evil, etc
    The biggest threat I feel at this time in my life is from the evil one. He is forever on the attack and the battle is constant!
    3. Fleeing is withdrawal, silence. I am a “pleaser”. I flee confrontation, not measuring up to others expectations.
    4. Fleeing can be a good thing! Flee TO God. Flee FROM the devil.
    5. Settle down? Yes! Rest in Christ Jesus and His pursuit of me. He wants my life to count for Him. He wants me to have peace. He loves me in spite of me.
    6. The Word that spoke the most to me this morning is that the Lord LONGS to be gracious to me. Our world is so fast paced and I have so many “irons in the fire” that I don’t slow down enough to long for Him. My greatest desire is to be who Christ wants me to be and that doesn’t happened in the business of life. Right now I am stopped dead in my tracks with the flu! When I received the “homework” I thought I wouldn’t have time to do it but I was wrong. Thank you Beth. I love you!

  30. 530
    Anne says:

    NIV / Message / Amplified – I chose Amplified:

    For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not,
    16 And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that]
    17 One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill.
    18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

    THREAT: noun
    1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace: He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.
    2. an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air.
    3. a person or thing that threatens.

    Satan threatens me daily with my failures. My husband and I have gone through a recent experience of deep loss. We are slowly, intentionally, and prayerfully building back but have a constant threat that we caused this, we created this, and we will never be the same. We have gone from ravenously knocking at doors, hoping they would open, to complacency – back and forth, to and fro – afraid of what others think and losing friendships.

    We have flown – not presently fleeing, but it wasn’t pretty! We ran, with our tails tucked and tear-streaked faces to a very lonely place. We withdrew from everyone, and hid our faces from everyone and everything.

    I love how the Amplified version of 1 Peter 10 says that “after I have sufferer a little while”, (and I know that suffering produces perseverance, humility, steadfast faith)… “the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you!!! “ How exciting! The Message (James 4:7) says to “let God work His will in you”…”Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time.” And verse 10 says “The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Ged down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

    I am patiently waiting on God to bring us through all of this. We have learned so much and I know that God has brought us through this to learn. I am thrilled with anticipation to see how He will use this horrific time for His good, His will, His glory. No more running for this chick. I am on my knees, waiting for Him to bring me to my feet. I will wait for Him. Something you said a while ago has been a constant reminder to me: my camel is attached to His! Thank you for being one of the voices we heard Him through. You were a voice in the desert preaching the peace and patience of God.

    He completes me!

  31. 531
    Angie Webb says:

    ASV, MSG, GNT,

    MSG,15. God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me – The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do. 16 You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’ You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough! You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’ Do you think your pursuers ride old nags? 17 Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker. Before a mere five you’ll all run off. There’ll be nothing left of you – a flagpole on a hill with no flag, a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.” 18 But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right – everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    Threat:
    1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace: He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.

    2. an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air.

    3. a person or thing that threatens

    I feel threatened when the enemy tries to use the past anxiety, fear and agoraphobia to try to get me to question my now found freedom through Christ. I also feel threatened when my life feels like it is spinning out of control whether that is through chaos, family dissention, financial pressures etc.

    Fleeing:
    1.
    to run away, as from danger or pursuers; take flight.

    2.
    to move swiftly; fly; speed.

    verb (used with object)
    3.
    to run away from (a place, person, etc.).

    Stand firm in the Lord and the enemy will flee. I need to stand firm in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has called me to be and called me to do.

    I read the verse in Isaiah and realize that I need to stop striving and settle down in the Lord and His word. He knows what is best for me and when I continue to strive and feel threatened, I doubt HIM. Settle Down. STAY foucsed.

  32. 532
    Daphne says:

    GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
    “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
    Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
    The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
    You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
    You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
    Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
    There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
    GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones. (The Message) (ESV) (AMP)
    THREAT: an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage – I feel most threatened by the enemy & how he has threatened my security, relationship & emotions so constantly.

    Fleeing looks like avoidance, stuffing feelings & avoiding confrontation. Yes I have been in fleeing mode for awhile.

    God is showing me that I need to stay alert. The enemy is blindsiding me and I need to have the full armor of God & be ready (on defense)! Stay close to God…

  33. 533
    Anna Williams says:

    Read MSG, NIV and NKJ….the Message translation spoke to me….
    Isaiah 30:15-18
    The Message (MSG)
    God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right
    15-17 GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
    “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
    Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
    The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
    You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
    You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
    Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
    There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
    GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
    threat
    noun
    1.
    a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace: He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.
    2.
    an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air.
    3.
    a person or thing that threatens.

    My thoughts…..a “threat” is not necessarily even real. It is only a declaration of an intention…..or an indication of probable trouble. So, why spend so much time worrying and/or running from these meaningless and empty words from the evil one?
    flee
    verb (used without object)
    1.
    to run away, as from danger or pursuers; take flight.
    2.
    to move swiftly; fly; speed.

    What does fleeing look like in my life?
    Running (in the wrong direction) to “help myself and my situation”.
    Wanting to stay in bed and not face the day because I already think I am defeated.
    Feeling down and defeated over my finances, because I think the battle (and war) has already been played out….with my husband and me as losers.
    Thinking I must start the day with emails and work (instead of taking real time to spend with my Lord) because there is too much “battle” to do for the day.
    Moving too fast to decide on the right path (finances, travel, work, kids, home, etc) when things are difficult without praying and waiting for God to reveal the right path.
    Comparisons to scriptures and final thoughts:
    I waste my time, energy and focus if I am watching/worrying over false fear. The devil wants to destroy today’s joy and hope and trust and good works for the Lord. He wins at this when I am defeated and depressed over my “pending doom”. Don’t let the evil one win. I will wait and trust in the Lord. He has always provided. He is always MORE THAN faithful to me. He is extravagant. No matter the “how”….He has a way. Trust and wait for His leading. I have victory in the Lord!….not defeat!

  34. 534
    Stephanie T says:

    Isaiah 30:15-18
    The Message (MSG)
    God Takes the Time to Do Everything Right
    15-17 GOD, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
    has this solemn counsel:
    “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
    Your strength will come from settling down
    in complete dependence on me—
    The very thing
    you’ve been unwilling to do.
    You’ve said, ‘Nothing doing! We’ll rush off on horseback!’
    You’ll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
    You’ve said, ‘We’ll ride off on fast horses!’
    Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
    Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
    Before a mere five you’ll all run off.
    There’ll be nothing left of you—
    a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
    a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off.”
    18 But GOD’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
    GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

    Isaiah 30:15-18 (NLT)
    Isaiah 30:15-18 (NIV)

    2. Threat:
    1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace: He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.
    2. an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air.
    3. a person or thing that threatens.

    I feel threatened by colleagues that feel manipulation and control give them power over others. I feel threatened by a hostile work environment currently with a lot of distrust.

    3. Fleeing to me is ignoring something I don’t want to deal with or handle. Instead of actually running I will just act like it isn’t happening, won’t happen, or will just go away. I “flee” from things in both my professional and personal life.

    4. Compare: All 3 verses say that your strength is in the Lord. You can’t do things yourself but with God’s help you can achieve anything.

    5. Yes, I have to remind myself to “settle down” or calm down and pray. God listens. I don’t always have to have the answer or be expected to solve every problem.

    6. This homework exercise reminds me to “settle down” and pray more. I get so wrapped up in my life that I don’t take time like I need to spend with God. I need to make a conscience effort to take time in my day to have quiet time with God and turn all my problems over to him for help. I don’t have to do everything…it is OK to ask for help and turn to God. Thanks for this homework Beth!

  35. 535
    Deborah Mott says:

    1. Isaiah 30:15-18 {read also these other three:(HCSB)(AMP and NIV. Liked below version best:
    Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
    15 The Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says, “If you come back to me you will be saved. Only by remaining calm and trusting in me can you be strong.”

    But you don’t want to do that. 16 You say, “No, we need fast horses for battle.” That is true—you will need fast horses, but only to run away because your enemy will be faster than your horses. 17 One enemy soldier will make threats, and a thousand of your men will run away. And when five of them make threats, all of you will run away. The only thing that will be left of your army will be a flagpole on a hill.

    God Will Help His People

    18 So the Lord is waiting to show his mercy to you. He wants to rise and comfort you. The Lord is the God who does the right thing, so he will bless everyone who waits for his help.

    2. “Threat”
    From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    In computer security a threat is a possible danger that might exploit a vulnerability to breach security and thus cause possible harm.
    A threat can be either “intentional” (i.e., intelligent; e.g., an individual cracker or a criminal organization) or “accidental” (e.g., the possibility of a computer malfunctioning, or the possibility of an “act of God” such as an earthquake, a fire, or a tornado) or otherwise a circumstance, capability, action, or event.[1]
    I feel most threatened in this season: by the possible danger of exploitation of being authentic and vulnerable and allowing the TRUTH of my past to be known to my sons and the world; to be misunderstood and by others and for them to NOT apply the Gospel of Grace to me or my life. For my sons to be hurt. For churches to not live by the GRACE CHRIST CAME TO GIVE but instead condemn and try to discredit or destroy me or my testimony of Grace.
    3. “flee”: is Jonah to me. He knew what God wanted and went the opposite direction. I have been tempted to flee today and even commented to a missionary friend that if I had had a car and was able to drive, I might have really considered packing up and left without a note. I got severely wounded today by two people that I KNOW THE LORD WANTS ME TO FORGIVE AND LOVE again. I have chosen to do this. It is costly but not as costly as if I disobeyed and went into unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is a type of fleeing. It is leaving the GOD I love because I cannot be with the LORD and hold unforgiveness. I have to choose. I choose CHRIST.
    4. James 4:7: If I submit to GOD meaning choose HIS WAYS and TRUTH, like forgiveness and love, the devil will flee from me…but if I choose unforgiveness I end up being under the enemy’s influence and before I know it have fled from the LORD’s nearness! Scary. 1 Peter 5:8-10 satan is doing all he can to get me into unforgiveness, disobedience, deception. I must resist him, stay alert and sober minded on the Truth and following THE LORD’s WAY I am promised The LORD will restore me and make me strong,firm and steadfast.
    5. Yes I needed this warning and command to “settle down!” why? Because I have RIGHTEOUS ANGER at a great injustice and am concerned for all churches and pastors who are Galatians: BIBLICALLY inaccurate and legalistic; not making the TRUE GOSPEL OF GRACE the MAIN FARE AND BEING UNYIELDING IN THEIR PRIDE AND UNLOVE AND self righteousness and not even seeing that they are this way! I need to know I came from this camp and may have been the worst offender had I not had such heinous sin in my life. I need to BE STRONG IN GRACE AND REST IN JESUS!!!!and keep my eyes on CHRIST and worship even in the midst of the severe pain and trauma.
    6. personal insight: what The LORD is saying to me: He has it all. My part is to stay close to the LAMB WHO HAS CONQUERED and trust HIM and not let anything or body sway me from my position IN CHRIST and HIS TRUTH. To not take satan’s bait. To rest in CHRIST alone. To trust Him even when He lets me get really wounded. To commit myself to THE FATHER. ABBA. And believe He is good.

  36. 536
    Brittany says:

    I read the ESV, ERV, and the Amplified Bible (AMP).

    For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that] One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill. And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! (Isaiah 30:15-18 AMP)

    Threat:
    1 : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
    2 : one that threatens
    3 : an indication of something impending

    I’m feeling really threatened by this semester of school. It is supposed to be my hardest thus far.

    When I “flee” I avoid things and procrastinate until I am overwhelmed with anxiety.

    James 4:7 gave me a mental image of the devil “avoiding” me the way I avoid threats when I flee… This verse promises the devil will flee if I cling to God.

    I definitely need to settle down and cling to Phil. 4:13. There is a reason God has brought me this far. If I cling to him and still fail this semester I know he has a plan, even if that’s not my ideal outcome.

  37. 537
    Erin Linn Roche says:

    January 30, 2013
    Erin Linn Roche, Maysville, KY

    1.
    NLT, ESV, NKJV
    2.
    Threat: an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage.
    This definition really strikes me in a weird way. First hand, it actually brings up a Season of my life a few years ago,and actually, it surprises me. It was time where I felt “threatened” although I couldn’t really even put my finger on that idea! WEIRD. And also, the actual definition really describes the person who was doing the “threatening.” At the time, I really didn’t feel “threatened” but I felt they were intending ‘evil’ ‘injury’ and ‘damage’ on my life. And now, looking at it in hindsight, I see that they were threatening me.
    I also am identifying feeling threatened in my present Season as well. WHY!? It seems like such a breading ground for so much negativity. It does feed my insecurities and this is leading me to really hide in the Shadow of His Wings. Lord, please be near, and draw me in to you. Please remind me who I am in you.
    3.
    “Fleeing” in my life, well, it is really just getting distracted enough from God. Also, when I feel like I have been disobedient to God, I want to run away and flee, instead of running into His arms and fleeing this old world.
    4.
    I’m feeling convicted of some things I have allowed in my life. I have to be on my guard at ALL TIMES. Also, I am not going to ever find peace and answers in my father or my husband, only from my Savior. Quit looking around, Erin. Settle down. Submit to God.
    5.
    I need to hear this. I need to hear that I can rest in my Lord and He will give strength and rest and peace. WOW. That is amazing. I need to settle down in my Lord so HE can calm all of my fears, insecurities and threats.

    5.

    It is a reminder to me that God is my only real Safety. Security. I think? He may be speaking to me about how some things are being revealed and it’s heart breaking, but He is always there and knows how this whole thing is gonna go down! And I wanna go with Him no matter what! So I need to settle down and get into HIS word and stop dwelling and believing others’ words, they are destructive and they try to threaten me.

    LOVE YOU TOO! 🙂

  38. 538
    Linda in Chester, VA says:

    What a timely assignment! Isaiah 30:15 is my memory verse for February 1 (verse #3) I’ve done my homework but haven’t posted it in the blog. However, NIV is the translation I’m memorizing.

  39. 539

    1. I read the passage from the ESV, HCSB, and NET

    Isaiah 30:15-18
    New English Translation (NET)

    15 For this is what the master, the Lord, the Holy One of Israel says:
    “If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered;
    if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength,
    but you are unwilling.
    16 You say, ‘No, we will flee on horses,’
    so you will indeed flee.
    You say, ‘We will ride on fast horses,’
    so your pursuers will be fast.
    17 One thousand will scurry at the battle cry of one enemy soldier;
    at the battle cry of five enemy soldiers you will all run away,
    until the remaining few are as isolated
    as a flagpole on a mountaintop
    or a signal flag on a hill.”
    18 For this reason the Lord is ready to show you mercy;
    he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you.
    Indeed, the Lord is a just God;
    all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.

    2. “Threat” – from thefreedictionary.com
    -An expression of an intention to inflict pain, injury, evil, or punishment.
    -An indication of impending danger or harm.
    -One that is regarded as a possible danger: a menace.

    I feel threatened at this time financially. The fear and unknowing I have about our financial future sure matches the definition of threat. Or at least it FEELS that way to me. It feels dangerous. Where we are and might be going FEELS painful and like it could be the worst harm we could endure.

    3. “Fleeing” in my life right now is easy to define. It is simply not trusting God with the outcome of this financial crisis, not trusting that He will provide for us and that He will work all things together for our good. Not trusting Him to be with us the whole way.

    4. Both Isaiah and James call for us to submit or return/repent to God.
    In Isaiah, we are doing the fleeing. But in James, the devil is fleeing – and that happens after we return to our Lord/when we stay with our Lord.
    Both Isaiah and Peter end with a promise of compassion, mercy, restoration, and strengthening from God in the end (or I guess when we submit/return from fleeing).

    5. “Settling down in complete dependence on me” certainly resonates with me. I am not trusting God or my husband (in this financial situation) as I should – instead I am wound up, trying to control it myself, worried, anxious, and wringing my hands and the ears of anyone who will listen to my “woe is me” story of crisis.

    6. Simply, God is telling me to return to my trust in Him, to stay with Him moment by moment in this time, and know with assurance that the outcome is in His hands and I need not worry. Show my faith. Accept that he wants to have compassion and mercy on me.

  40. 540
    Tanya says:

    1. Amplified, Complete Jewish Bible, NKJV
    For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not, And you said, No! We will speed [our own course] on horses! Therefore you will speed [in flight from your enemies]! You said, We will ride upon swift steeds [doing our own way]! Therefore will they who pursue you be swift, [so swift that] One thousand of you will flee at the threat of one of them; at the threat of five you will flee till you are left like a beacon or a flagpole on the top of a mountain, and like a signal on a hill. And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 55:15-18, Amplified

    2. Definition of threat from Merriam-Webster.com:
    1 : an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage
    2 : one that threatens
    3 : an indication of something impending
    I think the biggest threat for me (and my family) right now is the direction our country is headed. My husband heard Dave Ramsey on the radio 6 years ago and the Lord used his strategy for becoming debt free to break financial and spending strongholds, you might say. We recently moved to the country, after 6 months of two mortgages, we closed on the home we sold in October. We only have our mortgage, but boy would I like to have it paid off sooner rather than later. I say all of this because one of the reasons I feel this way is because of the perilous economic situation our country seems to be heading toward.

    3. In my life, “fleeing” would look like me retreating into myself. Imagine an oyster closing its shell tightly when it feels threatened. Yep, that’s me, I retreat. Unless, of course, I’m pushed while trying to retreat, then I may snap my shell ON someone! : ) Not really funny though for me or the person I’ve snapped. I don’t think I’m actually in fleeing mode right now.

    4. This may be a little lengthy, but doing it this way helps me to sort out my thoughts, I hope you can bear with me. I see three things that these verses speak to.

    The FIRST is the fact that we MUST, in the words of James 4:7, be subject to God. It is only in our resting in Him, in being firm in our faith, immovable!, that we shall be saved. We will be blessed when we REALLY wait for HIM. When we expect Him to come charging in on His white horse to rescue us from that evil enemy. I’ve put the parts of the verses below which speak to me in that area.

    In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. …
    Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]! Isaiah 30:15, 18, partial, Amplified

    be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined],
    1 Peter 5:9, partial, Amplified

    So be subject to God. James 4:7, partial, Amplified

    The SECOND is that it is all in the mighty, merciful and loving hands of the Lord. He will do anything to bring us to Himself, to show how much He loves us. Sometimes that includes suffering. But in the end, it is HE who will make us complete and, even more importantly, make us into what we OUGHT to be. I like that part of 1 Peter 5:10 that I bolded below, He will “establish and ground ME securely.” He will strengthen me and settle me. And boy do I need that at times! : )

    He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Isaiah 30: 18, partial, Amplified

    the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10, partial, Amplified

    The THIRD is that we must withstand the devil in order to succeed in an eternal sense. Nothing much to elaborate on here.

    Withstand him. 1 Peter 5:9, partial, Amplified

    Resist the devil [stand firm against him]. James 4:7, partial, Amplified

    And this takes us back to the FIRST one. In order to resist the devil, we must be subject to God. We must put all of our trust in Him. Some might say, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. However, in the case of our Great and Mighty God, we can AND should do just that! I thought that the verse from James summed it up well. Instead of us fleeing from the devil, he will flee from us! Thanks be to God!

    So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. James 4:7, Amplified

    5. I sometimes need to hear the words “settle down.” You ask why…well, sometimes a situation will trigger my mind to flash forward 10 to 15 years (this is in regards mostly to my children, though it can happen in the situation I referred to in number 2). The Lord has been teaching me over the past year to recognize those situations and instead of erupting (out of fear, of course, but expressed in anger), I whisper “I trust You, Jesus.” While I have not remembered to trust Him in all of those situations, I have done it more often…a sliding scale you know! : )

    6. I’ve been looking for the next verse to memorize, and the verses from 1 Peter really spoke to me. My second verse says to “be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” 1 Cor. 15:58, AMP The verses from 1 Peter speak to being immovable in my faith, so that I may withstand the threats of the enemy. My first verse was John 10:10, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy….” (AMP).
    So, when I allow myself to be out of balance, I am leaving myself open to enemy attacks. But when I rest in Jesus and trust in Him, I can be assured that the Lord will make me complete, even amidst suffering. This brings Romans 8:28 to mind, God is able to take any situation and bring good to those who love Him…even tragedy.
    It’s not up to me to make me what I ought to be. It’s not up to me to make my children what they ought to be. Or my husband for that matter. I must trust Jesus, even when it means trusting Him to be working in and through my husband. I must trust Jesus, even when it means allowing my children to learn the hard way.
    It’s the job of the Holy Spirit to make me what I ought to be. It’s the job of the Holy Spirit to make my children what they ought to be. And it’s the job of the Holy Spirit to make my husband what he ought to be. It’s my job to pray for myself and them. It’s our job to be open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
    Does that mean I ought not to teach my children? Does it mean I ought not to correct them? No, but I ought to do so with a gentle, quiet and loving spirit, not one who is panicking as she projects this “moment” 10 years into the future and reacts with fear!
    This is a good reminder to me not to trust in my own understanding, but to pray continually when fear rears it’s ugly head. Fear of the unknown. God will do it. He did it in Jesus. He did it for me. He did it for my husband. He did it for my children. He did it for you. He does it better when I get out of the way! And when I remember His final words on the cross…It is finished. Indeed, the battle is won. Death has lost its sting. Victory is mine…all in Him.

    Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
    1 Peter 5:8-10, Amplified

  41. 541
    Julia says:

    NKJV, NLV, & MSG
    from dictionary.com: threat-an indication or warning of probable trouble

    flee: running away

    As goes a song from Decompressed’s “Walking Away”: Walking away from Me, are you satisfied?

    God is my refuge, He is strong when I am weak, He guides me in all of my steps. Anything that I do that not of Him is only on my own efforts, which will not produce any fruit in my life.

  42. 542
    Deb Hearn says:

    “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
    Romans 12:21 NIV84

    Deb Hearn, Kokomo, Indiana

  43. 543
    Brittany says:

    Brittany from Boston, MA:

    “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:11-12 NIV

  44. 544
    susan bilberry says:

    1. NRSV, NLT, ESV
    Selected ESV:

    This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved. 
In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
But the only swiftness you are going to see
is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. 
You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
    So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
 so he can show you his love and compassion. 
For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

    2. Threat:
    a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; an indication or warning of probable trouble.

    I feel most threatened by the intangibles in my life….feelings, time, emotions, selfishness at times…

    Can we move on to the next question yet!!

    3. Fleeing… I am much better in this area than I used to be…I used to flee often and sometimes prematurely. I would end relationships, or leave during a disagreement and assume it was over…without thinking it could be repaired. I am not in a fleeing mode now; I am here to stay in this relationship, to honor my vows this time. And to love, honor and cherish.

    4. Compare or contrast the Isaiah text (30:15-18) to 1 Peter 5:8-10 and James 4:7.

    At all times, the enemy is after us. We must look out for him in all sorts of ways. However, our God is a patient God, he will wait, and he will not forsake us!! Ohhh, how blessed we are!!

    5. Settle down…be patient…be still….

    His plan is always better, however, I am usually so busy DOING…I forget to ask, or wait, or be still long enough to know His plan, until I am way into mine.

    6. I am a true work in progress…I started this when I received it…as I love this sort of thing, then I got stuck, got busy, and had to pray…before finishing.

    Thank goodness this classroom is open 24/7, and so is God.

  45. 545
    Candi says:

    Weekend Homework Assignment from LPMblog Jan. 26, 2013
    1. Read in NIV, HCSB, the Message, Amplified, NLT and ASV.
    “For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; strength will lie in quiet confidence.But you are not willing.” You say, “No! We will escape on horses”- therefore you will escape!- and “We will ride on fast horses”- but those who pursue you will be faster. One thousand will flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you will flee, until you alone remain like a solitary pole on a mountaintop or a banner on a hill. There fore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. Happy are all who wait patiently for Him.” HCSB
    2. Etymology: middle english thret, coercion. An expression of intention to inflict evil, injury or damage. One that threats. An indication of something impending (the sky held the threat of rain) The verb
    I feel the most threatened by the enemy as far as my young adult children not following the Lord and being pulled into the schemes of the world. I definitely feel the intention to inflict evil and damage on my family and my family to come. I am very concerned for my kids, their choices of significant others in their lives and my grandchildren if there will be any in the future. I know it is the enemy’s intention to ruin their lives. I know that it is His intention to diminish the influence that my husband and I have labored to have in their lives. I feel like their faith foundation has been stolen. It is a reality that is also a threat of becoming a total ruin. The threat of their lives being a spiritual ruin makes me feel so sad and devastated if I dwell on it. It is a real threat.
    3. I flee by just not thinking about it. I flee by just being busy with other things, either church or work activities and also by tuning it out with entertainment such as fiction books and television. I am not praying as much as I used to. I am not facing it head on. I think I am afraid of feeling discouraged or disappointed. I also feel helpless and don’t know how to make things different so I just flee by living in denial. I don’t think about it. Which means I am not praying about it.
    4. When I think of being sober and resisting the Devil, I think of prayer and that is something I haven’t been doing as much. Resist the Devil and He will flee (James 4:7). I haven’t been standing in quiet confidence in My God.

  46. 546
    Connie Duncan says:

    I am getting started late on the scripture memory. How do I sign up?

  47. 547
    Ashley says:

    1. NIV, KJV, ESV
    Isaiah 30:15-18
    King James Version (KJV)
    15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
    16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
    17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
    18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
    2. an indication or warning of probable trouble
    a statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done:
    a. Being cleared for the adoption process to begin. SCARY!
    b. Being in a controversial movie – acting debut.
    3. I have found that I flee by “doing what I’m told.” I hide behind my super supportive husband and hope that he’ll make decisions FOR me so I’m not accountable to the choice. I often don’t deal with the issue at hand and pray that it will pass without me giving a yes or no answer and then I’ll feel relieved of the pending threat. If an uncomfortable situation arises I panic and always think the worst. By default -EVERYTIME. Instead of fleeing to a “hill on a horse” I run to the old standby defense mechanism to be irrational, emotional, and ANYTHING but “settled down.” There I am….a screaming-crying-frightened beacon on a hill…
    4. 1 Peter tells us that we will be made perfect, established, strengthened and settled by suffering. Isaiah 30 echos that for stating that when we wait – being vigilant(1 Peter) – we will be blessed. James reiterates that submission (waiting, viligence, rest and quietness) EQUALS the devil fleeing!
    5. In rereading the verses of Isaiah – over and over – I realize that saying NO to rest, salvation, quietness, and confidence…I say YES to thousands fleeing swiftly with me only to be left standing alone. It will be all things opposite of His grace and mercy and I’ll be running with the crowd in chaos. Chaos breeds fear and threat and I’m well known for it. I have come so far over the years but I still am holding onto my own control – an illusion that I alone am in charge of my threats. When I quietly wait on Him, He waits on me and I CAN be made perfect in strength. I actually think He waits on the top of a mountain to bless and BE EXALTED. Why not meet Him on the mountain because we are quietly walking with Him instead of fleeing with the masses to be found disheveled? He will judge me and find that I will no longer resort to being a drama queen but will rest in my SALVATION –from myself and my threats. No more drama queens – just a true trusting daughter of THE KING!

  48. 548
    susan mcdonald says:

    Susan from Greensburg:

    No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has planned for those who love Him.” 1 Cor 2:9 NIV.

  49. 549
    Pam says:

    Pam from Mazie

    PSALM 81:10 ESV
    I am the Lord your God,
    who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
    Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

  50. 550
    Tina says:

    1. NLT, HCSB & CEV – This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of
    Israel says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In
    quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.
    You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift
    horses for riding into battle! But the only swiftness you are going to see is
    the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! One of them will chase a
    thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like
    a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”
    So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love
    and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who
    wait for his help.(NLT)
    2. “Threat” – an expression of intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage. One
    that threatens. An indication of something impending. “It hits me with the
    fact that I have spent a huge part of my lifetime feeling
    threatened…………..by life in general, by circumstances beyond my control,
    by loneliness, my past, my finances, my own sinful choices and living the
    same life that the Samaritan woman in John 4 lived—-meeting the One at
    the well who told me all I ever did yet still wishes for those “little girl
    dreams” that I’m sure she had as well.
    3. I am most prone to flee when I’m afraid or feel threatened as stated above
    which has almost been a constant thing since childhood. Unfortunately, I
    have been in a fleeing mode lately.
    4. Comparing Isaiah 30:15 with James 4:7 I see “only returning to Him”
    (surrendering) and resting in Him (resisting the devil) I will be saved (the
    devil will run from me). Unfortunately in my obstinance, I’ve said “No! I’ll
    get my help from my world (Egypt). It will give me what I need for the
    battle.” So many times I’ve been left like that tattered banner on a distant
    mountaintop because I’ve been “wind burned” by the swiftness of my
    enemy chasing me! But praise His Holy Name, He waits for me to come to
    Him so he can show me His love and compassion, because the LORD is a
    faithful God! And, as in 1 Peter 5:8-11 I know my enemy stays ready to pounce so I must stay alert. I’m not the only one plunged into these hard times.
    I must keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever.
    God gets the last word; yes, he does!
    5. I do need to hear those words “settle down”. I think God is trying to tell me
    “settle down child, I’m in control”.
    6. The personal insight I’ve gained and feel God is saying to me is: “Child of
    mine, I’ve loved you from the beginning, in your childhood when trust was
    broken, even during all these times you’ve said you couldn’t trust
    me…..The One and Only who is trustworthy! Yes your enemy has been
    trying to devour you since you were conceived and he does leave scars, but
    those scars have been healed through my Son Jesus and He does get the
    last word; yes, he does!” There is so much more I could say but I humbly
    thank you for this assignment.

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