For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling. – Isaiah 30:15
In returning to God, we engage our hearts to make a choice to trust.
We turn away from our fears and all that pulls us backward. The scriptural meaning of the word returning is “to give back” (apokathistémi: Greek). That is interpreted as meaning to restore, to return. Here, the Lord God asking that we return to him.
We do wander away. When we do, we separate ourselves from God and lean on mortal “false” belief”. We become idol believers, worshiping from our own weakness and building fortresses of self-righteousness. That is the unwillingness that is described. We actually march against the will of God when we fortify self-righteousness. We are asked to turn from our forts, hear His Call and return.
When we return, our hearts “hear and respond”. We are motioned to draw close to God. We re-unite ourselves (and become whole) with His Love for us which has always been constant.
It is His Promise to us.
Jerimiah 31:3, “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
When we draw close to God with our hearts we are motioned by His Spirit. Trust is stirred. Hope floods in with the warmth of His Love. As trust permeates us and becomes rooted in our hearts and minds we desire deeper obedience.
Trusting God means rest.
When we trust God we put our confidence in Him. We allow our strength to come from Him. Effort is surrendered. The “doing” comes from a source other than ourselves. We are responsible for action but outcomes are in the sovereign hand of God. We place our security in Him.
Trusting God means peace. Only God’s peace one offers true rest.
In scripture, the word “quietness” (Eirene: greek) means one, peace, rest. The promises of God have given each of us eternal reasons to rest with trust in each of our hearts.
He is absolutely trustworthy Nu 23:19 See also Tit 1:2; Heb 6:13-18
He is unchanging Ps 110:4; Mal 3:6-7; Jas 1:17-18
He has the power and will to fulfill his promises Isa 55:11 See also Ro 4:21
I am so grateful for the reminder at the beginning of the scripture, “you shall be saved”.
For me, the gift of salvation altered my life, truly set me free and put me on a new course forever. I asked for ‘help’ for many years. I thought that I did know God. I thought that I was already wise. But nothing prepared me for the life-altering experience of Seeing Christ and experiencing His Presence. That, for me, was the mercy moment when all of Heaven seemed to open up and Love poured upon and through me with miraculous grace. I wept, with joy. To this day that joy continues to grow as my soul rests in God’s Love.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. – Psalm 116:7
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence. -1 John 3:19
© 2019 Linda Willows
The BELOVED 