On this Monday Morning I want to talk about “not refusing the offer of rest” that has been presented to every one of us. Let’s look at these 2 first verses for our devotional.
Many of us have felt that somehow we have not trusted God enough or we trusted in something else in our life instead of what Jesus did for us at the cross. Maybe we did or maybe we didn’t. The point is that even in times when we have had a hard time seeing through the pain, the sickness, the lack or the unknown, God (Yahweh) is always reaching out to show us His favor, mercy and His marvelous Love for YOU!
Whatever has made you feel that you cannot have or walk in what Jesus paid for is an absolute lie from the enemy and possibly from your own insecurities too.
Read these:
Isaiah 30:15 Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Come back to me! By returning and resting in me you will be saved. In quietness and trust you will be made strong. But you refused.
Isaiah 30:18 – For this reason the Lord is still waiting to show his favor to you so he can show you his marvelous love. He waits to be gracious to you. He sits on his throne ready to show mercy to you. For Yahweh is the Lord of justice, faithful to keep his promises. Overwhelmed with bliss are all who will entwine their hearts in him, waiting for him to help them.
You and I have come back to the Lord through Christ and His Salvation, so everything that verse 18 states belongs to you. If you are Born Again then you have come back home and belong to Him and all that is in His Kingdom belongs to you as His child! How great is that?
So, what do these verses mean for us? Here is the biblical context of Isaiah 30:15 & 18 Judah’s dangerous political and spiritual rebellion during the 8th century BC, when the nation faced an encroaching threat from the Assyrian army and chose to rely on a military alliance with Egypt rather than trusting God. is
We are being told never to Reject God’s Divine Counsel: The prophet Isaiah strongly condemned this reliance on foreign powers. God offered Judah peace and deliverance through faith, quietness, and a return to Him, but the nation stubbornly refused, preferring frantic political maneuvering and swift horses. But this is not you!
Hebrews 4:9-11: states that there remains a “Sabbath rest for the people of God,” which is entered by “resting from one’s own works.” Just as Judah panicked and ran to Egypt rather than trusting God, Hebrews warns modern believers not to fall into the same pattern of “disobedience” and “unbelief.” True New Testament faith is a “faith-rest”—ceasing human striving to trust fully in the finished work of Christ.
We don’t work to get what God has done, we cooperate with what the Holy Spirit leads and guides us to do. That’s a Big difference in how we respond to His Word in our life!
- 2 Peter 3:9: Peter reminds believers who are growing impatient that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise… Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
- The Prodigal Son (Luke 15): The image of the father scanning the horizon, waiting to show grace and running to embrace his son when he finally “returns,” serves as the ultimate narrative depiction of Isaiah 30:18.
No matter what you are going through, “The Father” is always waiting to show you the Grace that was purchased for you!
Matthew 11:28-30: Jesus echoes the exact remedy of Isaiah: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Just as Isaiah promised salvation through “returning and rest”, Jesus shifts the focal point of that rest onto Himself, offering an internal “rest for your souls that will bring a rest in all the other areas of our lives.
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus who has given us our faith and will continue to complete it in our lives. Hebrews 12:2 – looking unto Jesus, the author (the originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Remember, you are Loved, you are Righteous, and you are His!