For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:

​​“In returning and rest you shall be saved;

​​In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”

​​But you would not,

​​And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”—

​​Therefore you shall flee!

​​And, “We will ride on swift horses”—

​​Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! vs15-16

If we don’t take God’s counsel, then we’ll be destroyed, or we’ll forfeit peace. Man tries to live his own way, but he needs the Rule Book and the Road Map. He needs Jesus Christ and the teaching of Scripture to live godly, because there is a Judge who gives or withholds His Spirit.

True, man can seem happy without God, but what is this but the laughter of fools, giggling blindly at the edge of a cliff? “For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity [Eccl 7:6].” They are unaware of their destruction, drunken with the world, and their foot shall slide in due time [Deut 32:35].

Likewise, man is miserable without God. Marriages break up and children are abused [Col 3:18-21]. He has no peace, because he goes his own way and forgets God. He’s wiser than Christ, so he’s a fool. He comforts himself in vanity, so he isn’t comforted. He fears death and yet runs FROM THE THOUGHT instead of running to Jesus Christ. He misses the joy that he could have! “He would have fed them also with the finest wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you [Ps 81:16].”

The wise man says, however, “Let me sit still. I can’t outrun God. I can’t live my own way and prosper.” “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’” Here, he obtains mercy, falling before the throne of grace, “that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need [Heb 4:16].” He learns God’s way and gets God’s Spirit to practice it! He walks in forgiveness and cleansing, confessing sin rather than denying it. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [1 John 1:8-9].” He has God on his side, peace in his heart, and he walks in the path of blessing. God rewards him with goodness and comfort. He bears fruit. He sees the success of God’s instruction and then enters Paradise. He bows to God’s will and gives thanks in all things. Paul says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you [1 Thess 5:18].” He sees God’s direction and takes it, rather than forcing his own will, which shall not prosper, for, “those who pursue you shall be swift!”

Be wise. Don’t run from Christ but run to Him. Believe the gospel and practice it. Preach the whole counsel and live accordingly. Live for the kingdom [Luke 9:60].