Underneath, he wrote an Invocation:
O GOD of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength; by the might of THY spirit lift us, we pray THEE to THY presence, where we may be still and know that THOU art GOD.
The phrase "in returning and rest we shall be saved" comes from Isaiah 30:15-17, where "returning" is translated as "repentance," and the context becomes clearer, as we see in the NASV, the most literal Bible translation out there:
"For thus the LORD GOD, the HOLY ONE of Israel, has said,In these verses, GOD warned Judah against making an alliance with Egypt, saying they should trust in HIM instead. Some people think they're smarter than GOD. Maybe they don't actually believe they are in such bold of a statement, but by their actions, they brush off HIS wisdom. At the other end, we have people who trust GOD, but maybe they're lacking in action.
“In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
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.
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."
A Biblical counselor once told me it worked like this: we prepare the horse, and GOD does the rest. That's tough for a lot of us, especially those of you who are parents or leaders dealing with difficult situations. Sometimes it's tough for us to find where our end stops and GOD's part begins. That's why prayer is so important in these situations so you can find the lines. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, And HE will make your paths straight."
1 comment:
One of the unfortunate shortcomings in the Book of Common prayer is the lack of Scriptural references for the Prayers and Thanksgiving section, nor the Catechism or "Outline of faith". Unless one is a Bible scholar to begin with the words have no foundational references for us novices to refer. There is no reference-able guide to Scripture. I have to Google the phrases to find sources for references to the Biblical text. Maybe the next edition!!....Maybe a true BCP reference guide.
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