Returning and Rest
Sometimes, we need to look at the meaning of the words of the Bible very closely to make sure we understand how they are being used. Then, we can get the truth God wants us to learn and to apply. This is true of Isaiah 30:15. God was calling the people back to Himself. We need to hear the same message today, because we have the same weaknesses that they had then.
"In returning and rest, you shall be saved." The salvation spoken of here is deliverance from their enemies, and the keys are returning and rest. Returning means repenting of sins, so that we return to the Lord and to His ways. Resting means depending on Him and following His promises to deliver us, instead of trying to deliver ourselves by our own actions. We could paraphrase this by saying, "Stop trying to do things all by yourself, and start trusting the Lord and His Word. Do what He says, not what you think is right"
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Quietness is being still before the Lord, so we can hear Him speaking to us. Confidence is from the word "faith." It means having confidence in the Lord, not in ourselves. If we do that, we are strong in the power of the Lord. Then, we are truly strong, and we can overcome any enemies in our lives.
Sadly, many believers simply forge ahead with life, never making time for repentance in quiet times of reflection. We do not trust in the Lord, but in ourselves, because we feel like the solution to the problems is in our own intellect and power. Therefore, we live in defeat and weakness. We begin to believe that is the normal Christian life. It is not. God desires for us to live in victory, as we return to Him and rest in Him with quiet confidence in His strength.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 33-35.
"In returning and rest, you shall be saved." The salvation spoken of here is deliverance from their enemies, and the keys are returning and rest. Returning means repenting of sins, so that we return to the Lord and to His ways. Resting means depending on Him and following His promises to deliver us, instead of trying to deliver ourselves by our own actions. We could paraphrase this by saying, "Stop trying to do things all by yourself, and start trusting the Lord and His Word. Do what He says, not what you think is right"
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Quietness is being still before the Lord, so we can hear Him speaking to us. Confidence is from the word "faith." It means having confidence in the Lord, not in ourselves. If we do that, we are strong in the power of the Lord. Then, we are truly strong, and we can overcome any enemies in our lives.
Sadly, many believers simply forge ahead with life, never making time for repentance in quiet times of reflection. We do not trust in the Lord, but in ourselves, because we feel like the solution to the problems is in our own intellect and power. Therefore, we live in defeat and weakness. We begin to believe that is the normal Christian life. It is not. God desires for us to live in victory, as we return to Him and rest in Him with quiet confidence in His strength.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 33-35.