Thursday, March 14

15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,

    in quietness and trust is your strength,

    but you would have none of it.

16 

You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’

    Therefore you will flee!

You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’

    Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

17 

A thousand will flee

    at the threat of one;

at the threat of five

    you will all flee away,

till you are left

    like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,

    like a banner on a hill.”

18 

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;

    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

For the Lord is a God of justice.

    Blessed are all who wait for him!