Isaiah 30:15 - Salvation and Strength

Scripture

Isaiah 30:15 For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, in repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength...

Observation

God, Himself, is speaking in Isaiah 30:15 and He is outlining some simple, yet difficult, tasks we are to do to receive salvation and strength.  The difficulty is so great that many refuse to even try. But God doesn't ask us to do it in our own strength, He gives us His Spirit to be strong in our weakness (Romans 8:26).

Repentance is a key to salvation. We need to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, but we also need to turn from sin.  Repentance is just that...turning from sin. 

Repentance, however, is just one fold on this salvation call. God also asks us to rest. I don't think this means to sleep, but this means to surrender; surrender your worries and cares to Him. Jesus said come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). 

God goes even further to outline how to receive strength from Him.  He say's to be quiet and trust. I feel like I say that to my kids all the time.  "Will you stop arguing with me and just trust me?", "trust me that I know where we are going and how we should get there", "trust me that I know what is best for you", trust me that this will only hurt for a little bit, but you need this medicine to feel better", trust me that eating junk food all day will ruin your body in the long run"…."trust me."

There is certainly wisdom and faith found in being quiet and trusting God, but why strength? I think we can find the answers in the trees. Outside right now the wind is howling and the trees are whipping about. The young trees are swaying to the point of almost breaking, but the older trees hardly move. The adversity of the wind has strengthened their roots and caused them to go even deeper into the ground.  I don't hear the trees complaining that the wind is too much, in fact they never say a word, they just allow the wind to strengthen them.  The wise oak, in humble quietness, submits to the wind produced from God's hand and trusts. Knowing that  It is for our good that the wind comes.

Prayer

Father, You hold each moment of my day in the palm of your hands.  Your goodness goes before me (Exodus 33:19) and your lovingkindness follows me (Psalm 23:6). Your love never fails even when I do.  Thank You for saving me and setting me free from sin.  Thank You for refining me so that I can learn to be quiet and trust You more. Please continue to strengthen me Father according to your lovingkindness. You are the God of my day's and all my delight is in You.