Monday, October 13, 2008

repentance and rest, quietness and trust

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15

A few weeks ago I posted a scripture verse that was tied to my Lumos post. It was Hebrews 4:12, a post about the word of God shedding light onto the attitude and thoughts of our heart... about its ability to direct us.

I have been mulling the verse over since then... wondering about my direction, my aspirations, what I am doing, what I could be doing....... WHO I AM....all of those type of things......

Today a verse rang through my mind, a beginning of the answer to my prayer about my direction and my actions........
I have attached the verse above. I would have thought the words would read " in repentance and action are your salvation" But this verse speaks the opposite doesnt it? It says nigh of good deeds and speaks volumes about resting in God and KNOWING him. I knew the repentence part... but the resting part is new for me.
I have had so many outside influences lately that have pushed me to speak up to be louder, to push my way to the front and my heart has bucked against this advice for good reason. "in quietness and trust shall be your strength"
I dont think quietness speaks of not saying anything. Being quiet is not the same as being silent...
But it does say alot to me about trying to be the loudest one in the room :)

Thoughts anyone?

2 comments:

Fawn said...

I think there is a certain undeniable strength in being quiet. There is a distinct difference between quietness and meekness, and perhaps that strength comes from resting in the Lord. From being still -- in Him, in life. Because maybe when are hearts and minds are so full of that white noise, we fail to hear the message, the peace, the birds and sound of glorious silence.
Maybe?

All the world's a stage said...

I love that scripture because it helps us stay balanced, especially in our fast-paced, achievement oriented life. When I look at it, I also see that the activity the Isrealites were so busy at was going to Egypt to provide for them when God wanted to be their source.
1 "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD,"to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;
2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me;who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge.

3 But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace.

I think God was telling the Isrealites (and us), "hey, the famine will end when you turn to me. Stop trying to work your way out and trust ME, not yourself, not Egypt, not anyone who steals you from me. All it takes is repentence and rest to turn a nation, a life around. Our work and goodness will never do that.
This truth you brought up brings not only strength, but also freedom!