Dwelling in Peaceful Justice

Scripture:
Then justice shall dwell in the wilderness,
    and righteousness will abide in the fruitful field.
The work of righteousness shall be peace,
    and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation
    and in secure dwellings
    and in quiet resting places;
and it shall hail when the forest comes down,
    and the city shall be utterly laid low.
How blessed are you
    who sow beside all waters,
    who send out freely the ox and the donkey.
Isaiah 32:16-20

Observation: Isaiah describes the life of a faithful believer - someone who lives by righteousness in the ways of the Lord. The primary quality of such a life is a secure peace. Such a person shall live in a peaceable and secure house, with quite around them. They shall receive blessing like one whose fields are watered by nearby streams in the woods, and they will be able to send out their livestock unguarded from troubles.

Again, the entire picture is peaceful. This is the blessing of God - peacefulness, which comes from righteousness and justice from God.

I find I wish to meditate on the peacefulness of God. I love the idea of a "peaceable habitation" and "secure dwelling" and "quiet resting places. In fact, this very verse - Isaiah 32:18 - is my designated "location" on Twitter! However, it is unavoidable to point out that verse 16 includes a key to that peace ... that God's justice and righteousness will unlock this peace.

That said, the instruction is that God's justice will reside there, and those who come under that righteous judgment will receive peace - quietness and assurance forever. It is submission to God's justice that earns us this peace. It is our willingness to humbly bow and submit to the Lord, then, that allows God to place his cloak around us, place his arm around our shoulders, and give us rest.

Application: Laurie and I are so in need of rest right now. Especially Laurie. We are struggling with work, and especially she cares so much for the results of her efforts. We both care about doing well in our tasks, and it weighs on us when it seems our teams and work are falling short. We need God's rest.

We think we will find that rest in Maui. In truth, we will find that rest in the cloak of God's justice. We will be in our peaceful and secure dwelling, with quiet rest, when we submit to the Lord and allow room for his instruction. We will really be blessed when we cease attempting to do everything right, and instead attempt to do everything as God would wish us to do it.

Prayer: My Lord, you do know that we seek to do your will. I pray this day for Laurie and I, but especially for Laurie. May she find your peace today and every day. May we both seek only your work and will, and trust that will produce success in your eyes regardless of the world's work that is before us. We serve others only to serve you. Let your justice prevail upon our lives. Amen.