Returning and Rest

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 30:15-16

Judah and the capital city were in dire straits. As they saw it, their only hope was to ally with the Egyptians and take refuge in the protection Pharaoh might provide (30:1-2). As God saw it, this was an act of rebellion against Him. The Jews were not trusting in the Lord.

In this text, the Lord gives them the answer to their problem: “In returning and rest you shall be saved.” The margin of my ESV gives “repentance” as an alternate translation for “returning.” I like returning and returning is what repenting is. To repent is to turn away from sin, but it is also a turning to Christ.

Verse 16 helps to explain verse 15. They are meant to be taken in parallel to each other. “In quietness and trust shall be your strength.” “Trust” is another word for “rest” and “rest” is one way of defining or explaining what it means to trust. Rest isn’t all there is to trust, but it is an essential part of trust. To trust the Lord is to rest in Him.

Quietness fits in well here also. In this context, being quiet isn’t biting your tongue. It is meant to be seen in contrast to the frantic pleading and worried begging for help from the Egyptians. When we are resting in the Lord we are freed from the compulsion we might otherwise feel to involve others in hopes that they will get us out of our trouble, provide us a solution, or be our defender. This quietness is a calmness of soul because your confidence is in the ability and power of God to work on your behalf. We aren’t compelled to rush down to Egypt and form an alliance with Pharaoh.

This quietness doesn’t mean we should never seek counsel from others. It doesn’t mean God can’t use friends and family to help us in our time of need. I suppose the way to sort this out in your heart is to notice whether you are seeking other people’s help in a panicked spirit. You might want to ask yourself whether you have first sought the Lord’s counsel and His help and whether He is leading you to seek counsel and help from others.

Are you willing to trust the Lord or are you unwilling to do so and choosing rather to “flee upon horses?”

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