In a crisis I am tempted to force a solution. The Lord shows a different way – Isaiah 56
1‘Maintain justice and do what is right,
I can’t achieve righteousness through abuse, only love.
for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
The proximity of danger exposes hearts, asking – ‘Do I believe God’s justice and righteousness are the only way? Do I believe His salvation is at hand?’
Those willing to resist the temptation to force their own righteousness while seeking God’s salvation receive it. What a difference His righteousness will be from the one we had wanted. Instead of me winning and all else suffering, the Lord’s righteousness brings peace and love.
His salvation often waits till the last moment.
2 Blessed is the one who does this – the person who holds it fast,
The Lord blesses those who hold to His righteousness. To do so I have to let go of hope for the outcome I had defined as righteousness and look to Jesus as my hope.
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.’
This hope is seen in two aspects of submission:
Rather than driving towards the goal – destroying others in the rush, they will be content that there will be enough time and resources for the Lord’s will to be done His way.
Rather than forcing what they perceive as righteousness, they will walk in love expecting God’s way to become apparent as they go with Him.