True Rest

Isaiah 30:15a 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...."

What is salvation? The standard answer is getting to go to heaven, or eternal life in heaven. Perhaps salvation is being safe from harm. Yet, our experiences indicate that salvation doesn't protect us from car accidents, murders, rapes, and other harms of the world. Salvation doesn't even protect us from having our feelings hurt or pride bruised. So what is salvation? In this life? What does it mean for me today? Or does it mean anything to my life as I try to live it today?

I think this passage in Isaiah tells us at least part of the answer. Salvation comes when we repent and rest. Salvation comes from the freedom we receive when we turn from sin. This salvation results in rest. Peace.

Think about the times when this passage was written. There were no microwave ovens that fix our food in minutes. Meals literally took all day and much hard, physical work. There were no cell phones to contact someone to tell them something. They had to walk miles to relay a message, or ask a question. Wash clothes? No washing machine, energy efficient or otherwise. Cleaning took a lot of muscle and time. People had to be tired. Worn out. Used up. Occupied with just doing the work of life.

Rest must have been like we think of a week's vacation where there are no plans, no rushing, someone else to carry our luggage and bring us meals. Rest in the time if Isaiah must have been a God-sent luxury, a salvation if you will. It is quite possible that salvation at the time of Isaiah was rest...

and peace... the peace that comes from releasing our guilt and fears when we repent and turn to God. Rest is made complete when we can be at peace.

If you are tired. If you need rest. If you struggle far away from peace. Repent and feel God's peace in complete rest. Then you will know salvation. Amen

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