SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 28-33
God’s missionary people, meant to bless the nations, has become corrupt.
They have stopped trusting God, they are hoping Egypt will help them.
Through these verses God warns them, predicts a time of judgment, reminds them of His deep love, and describes a day when God will set up His king, and the nation and world will prosper.
Again and again He reminds them that He can help, that He is their best hope.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15, compare with Luke 13:34).
God longs to bless them, and to share His blessing through them to all people.
“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!” (Isaiah 30:18, compare to Luke 13:34-35).
Am I missing out on God quietness and rest because I am resisting it?
Have I turned God’s overflowing offer of peace into an empty religion of duty?
“God will speak to this people, to whom he said, ‘This is the resting place, let the weary rest’; and, ‘This is the place of repose’ — but they would not listen. So then, the word of the Lord to them will become: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there — so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured.” (Isaiah 28:12-13)
To trust God, and to submit to Jesus as Lord, is not a religion of ‘do this, do that’; it is an offer of peace and rest and blessing and hope.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, in repentance and rest is my salvation, in quietness and trust is my strength. I choose You as my resting place, for my weary heart to rest.
Observation/Application
A woe.
God’s judgement on His people who have gone astray once again making rules for living for themselves and neglecting the way of the Lord. His voice they do not hear. Reminds me of ‘ears they have and do not hear. Eyes they have and thy do not see.’ And me? How’s my vision and hearing.? Do I see His plan for my life that it is wonderful? Do I see His awesomeness each day?
Whose rules do I follow – His way or man made rules? Who is in charge of my life? I must need to rejoice in the Lord each day anew for He is in charge for He is my Redeemer King. I need to see the works of His hands each day anew and live in/by His Word. My strength is in Him for He is my power and Rock and Fortress and Renewer. I need to listen to the voice saying to me ‘This is the Way. Walk in it.’
On whom do I rely?
I need to seek the guiding hand of the Lord each day. My strength is from His hand and not mine or other man’s power. He is my Shield and Protector. He is my Stronghold always. My Refuge because I can see and hear Him.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat)
The right word to say,
the best move to make
Who’s in need of a helping hand
For Your perfect ways are worthy of praise
I delight just to do Your plan
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat to beginning)
Help me to know Your will
Help me to know Your will