Three Important Lessons I Learned From Reading Isaiah Chapter 30
Get these three points right and the Son will steady your day
The prophet, Isaiah explains in one short verse all we need to know to have a more stable life. Read on, I’ll unpack it for you.
It was a gloomy day in Israel. Israel had decided to rely on the strength of Egypt instead of their God. It was all their fault. God warned them Egypt would not be gracious to them.
Israel didn’t listen, and all too often, we don’t hear either.
God’s plan for Israel didn’t make sense to them. We do not always understand His plan is the best route for us to take.
To us, God’s plan is counterintuitive. We have our doubts, and it’s our problem, not God’s.
Often, His plan is opposite our plan. Now, who do you think has the better strategy? The omniscient God or us, the feeble-minded earthlings?
When trouble troubles us, Isaiah has the answer. Here it is.
“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, NIV).
- God says, repent, change your ways. But we like our ways all too much.
- He, God, says get quiet, be still. No, we want to keep moving. Upward mobility is the name of our game.
- The Holy One says you grow in strength when you put your trust in Me. But, we want to align ourselves with the powerful ones we see.
Repentance means to change our way of thinking
It is hard for us to make the change needed. But, changing from worldly wisdom to God’s understanding is a much better way to think. I’m sure you agree. Correct?
I don’t know about you, but repentance is not on the top of my list when I fail. I’ll need to brush up on talking more with Jesus. I know Jesus hears me and assures me. He does not condemn me but offers His grace.
Quiet time is productive time
I do like a quiet time with my Savior. I need to be still and silent and recognize who Jesus is to me. Doing so renews my strength. Being still and quiet, of course, does not make sense in the world in which we live.
Action seems to be the answer, but not always.
It matters much in who we trust
It works best for us when our trust is in God first and foremost. To Israel, the Egyptian army, who they could see, was better to put their trust than to an unseen God.
How wrong could they be?
Think about it: we rely on the trust factor in so many ways in our daily lives. Trust keeps our life on a steady plane. Without trust, we wobble, lose balance, and complain.
We give up on relationships, marriages, and financial institutions. I like where Pastor Andy Stanley puts his trust: “I will not put my trust in riches, but in the One who richly supplies.”
It’s time to look around us, make the changes needed to live an overcoming life. Isaiah had it right in warning Israel they were off to no good relying on an enemy’s security.
Three important lessons I learned from reading Isaiah chapter thirty
- Repent from our old way of thinking, instead consider His wisdom is best for us.
- Practice stillness, time alone with God, stay in His presence for an extended time.
- Who we place our trust in matters. It matters more than we can know.
God’s ways are far better for us always. Our Father knows best.
What important lesson did you get in reading Isaiah chapter thirty?
Thank you for reading,
Richard
I write to educate, entertain and inspire you to make better choices. I hope I did all three.
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