Quietness and Confidence Forever

We began seeking God maybe a year ago on whether permanent residency was the right next step for us as a couple.

Sensing that this was the right step, we began the process last November. Since then it has been filled with pitfalls and disappointments.

In December we received news that mistakes had been made and our application returned to be corrected and tried again.

January found us in the midst of training conferences and retreats, surrounded by friends that love us and have incredible faith in our God to move mountains.

Remembering the story of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof by his friends, Jesus healed him because of the faith He saw in the friends, I approached a friend who I see to have incredible faith. As mine was wavering I asked her to pray for us. She prayed incredible words over me, specifically I remember her speaking of this being a training time, training in faith. Training in believing that we serve a God who is truly able to do immeasurably more.

Having not spoken very publicly about this issue, only people close to us were aware of what was going on, a man who is quickly becoming a good friend and supporter approached us to share a passage that had been on his heart as he had been praying for us.

My questioning in this process was whether God would want us to be settled. Do we stop following him and truly living for him when we become settled in a place.

I had never shared my concerns. The passage he brought to us was this:

"Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field.
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."

Isaiah 32 v 16-18

It spoke right to my heart, as we seek him and seek righteousness, the result will be quietness and a confidence in the God who is always true to his word, always true to his character, always true to us.

We can have peace and secure homes. That must not become our priority, but following God doesn't exempt us from doing so.

I was encouraged to remember that our God often speaks into our very situation at just the right moment, giving us hope and confidence in the one who called us.