Verse of the Day for March 17

Judah is under threat and has decided the answer is Egypt — horses, chariots, a treaty with a stronger neighbour. Isaiah brings God's assessment of the plan.

In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

Those last four words are among the saddest in the prophets. The offer was made, it was understood, and it was declined.

What follows explains why. They said, No; for we will flee upon horses — and God answers, therefore shall ye flee. The thing they chose becomes the thing that happens to them.

Quietness and confidence sound passive to people in danger, which is exactly when they are offered and exactly when they are refused.

And then verse eighteen turns: therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you. He waits. Even after the refusal, He is still waiting.

Most of us do not reject God's help. We simply find it too slow and go with the horses, which are available now.

He is still waiting to be gracious. That clause survives the refusal.