September 20

Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame. — Isa 49:23 BSB

Sometimes God calls us to step aside from our work for a season, to be still and learn before we go forth again. This is especially true when we have faced a serious failure or defect in our efforts. The time spent waiting is not wasted.

An ancient knight, fleeing from his enemies, realized his horse needed to be reshod. Though prudence urged him to keep going, higher wisdom told him to stop at a blacksmith’s shop to replace the shoe. As his pursuers drew near, he waited until the horse was refitted. Then, just as his enemies appeared, he leaped into the saddle and escaped with renewed speed. The brief halt had hastened his victory.

So often, God asks us to pause, to fully recover and prepare for the next stage of the journey.

Lord, teach me to be still and know that You are God, and to walk with You all this day.