PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Isaiah 29-30
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.
But you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15)
God created us to enjoy the ‘very good’ creation rest.
Not ‘rest’ as in doing nothing, but a sense of peace in what we do.
A quiet confidence and security, knowing it is well with me and the world.
Cain discovered the hard way that sin robs us of our rest.
He became a “restless wanderer on the earth.” (Genesis 4:14)
What a perfect description of human life in general.
These chapters from Isaiah also show the misery of rejecting God.
They were religious, but their hearts were closed to God (Isaiah 29:13).
Religious beliefs and activities will not give me rest for my soul.
My soul, my inner self, needs to sincerely trust and rest in God.
This is not something we can do ourselves, we need Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30).
This kind of inner rest and peace is what God wants for us.
Do we really want it, will I really seek it?
PRAYER
Lord, these chapters show me how miserable life becomes when we resist you rather than rest in you. Teach me, and help me, to surrender my heart to you!
‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’ The people of Isaiah’s time sought help from other sources – other lands and other gods. They ignored the voices of the prophets who warned them of what was to come and has come. Yet, God continues to offer grace even in the face of wrath and punishment – in the face of evil and slaughter. I too must not rely on my own devices and self wisdom – for in humbling, in quieting my desires and instead come to trust in the Lord – his spirit working in my heart – is my strength. How stubborn I can be – melt me and make me more like you I pray!