in quietness and confidence

May 18, 2025

“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…” Isaiah 30:15 (NASB)

Today I am thankful for a day for worship and rest…a day to quiet my heart before the Lord and wait on Him.

We find our strength in Him through quietness and confidence. When we don’t take time to be still before the LORD, we miss out on His strength and guidance.

In stillness we are drawn into wonder and worship.

We live in a noisy world. So many things clamor for our time and attention. But if we allow those things to draw us in, we’ll soon be depleted and weary.

We need His peace and the simple beauty of His Presence every day. We need rest for our souls, and we need Him to renew our minds. We find refuge in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91).

I walked my dog this afternoon, grateful for the fresh air and for the companionship of my dog, JiaYou, as I listened to the book of Philippians. When I returned, I opened our mailbox and saw a package.

Inside, I found a card from my friend. She said she “made this journal with Psalm 91 in mind. Under His wings you find refuge.” Her words touched my heart, and when I opened the package, I saw the journal she had made for me.

This beautiful journal cover, created by my friend, will remind me to snuggle in under His wings.

What a meaningful gift! Thank you, Emily!

Psalm 91:1-3 (NIV) says:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
³Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Maybe you need this reminder, too.

Some years ago, I faced some challenging times with my health. Multiple sclerosis brought a great deal of unpredictability into my life. At the time I was single, and I felt a lot of pressure to survive. I couldn’t change the reality of these health challenges, and I couldn’t continue to work full time. I clung to my faith.

I asked my friend, Prindi, to write these words from Psalm 57:1-2 (NASB) in calligraphy on my bedroom wall where I would see them as I went to sleep, and when I woke up in the morning:

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
²I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.

I took such comfort in those words. Despite my precarious health and the necessary changes, God continued to meet my needs.

God hears our cries and He truly does accomplish all things for us as we trust in Him.

Abba Father,

As this day comes to a close, I want to thank You for being our refuge. Thank You for allowing Your children to snuggle in under the shadow of Your wings and find shelter from the storms of this life.

Thank You for sustaining us through hard times.

Please be with those who are struggling today. For those who feel discouraged, I ask that You would lift their spirits. Speak peace to those struggling with anxiety.

I lift up my friend who is recovering from a total knee replacement.

I pray You will comfort those who have lost loved ones recently.

Thank You that You have promised to accomplish what concerns us.

Thank You for being my Provider over the years. I look back on Your faithfulness, and I marvel at how You meet us where we’re at, and I am so thankful for Your forgiveness and grace, and for Your steadfast love.