Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"In returning and rest you shall be saved"
Text: Isaiah 30:15
THE INVITATION OF GOD REJECTED
God showed wonderful compassion towards Israel. He promised His salvation and strength, But His invitation was rejected.
“For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel:
‘In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’
But you would not,
And you said, ‘No, for we will flee on horses’—
Therefore you shall flee!
And, ‘We will ride on swift horses’—
Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!
One thousand shall flee at the threat of one,
At the threat of five you shall flee,
Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain
And as a banner on a hill.”
Isaiah 30:15-17
1. A most gracious offer.
a) The LORD offered His salvation.
b) He also offered confidence and strength.
c) Both should have been received with appropriate gratitude.
2. Israel’s part.
a) To return to the Lord humbly.
b) To rest in His precious word of promise.
c) Faith in the Lord would be expressed in “quiet confidence”.
d) But Israel would have none of what God offered.
e) This was an offer that should have been welcomed with gratitude.
3. Israel’s choice.
a) The people chose to trust in their horses.
b) They believed that swift horses would be more trustworthy
than God’s word of promise.
4. The Consequences.
a) Israel would flee indeed.
b) But the pursuing steeds would be far faster than Israel’s horses.
c) Israel would become a very frightened people.
i) A thousand people would flee from the threat of one person.
ii) How Israel would tremble if there were but five enemies.
d) The nation would become like a solitary flagpole on the top of a mountain.
It will become as a banner on a hill.
e) The consequences of rejecting and despising God’s word
were gravely and candidly stated.