Quietness and Trust
“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said, In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing” (Isaiah 30:15).
Quietness and trust are the words that initially jump out in the reading of this passage, and our minds are quickly drawn to the paradoxical truth that quietness and trust equates to strength, but the phrase ‘is your’ seems to be the key to understanding the deeper significance of what God is telling us. The phrase “is your” is derived from the Hebrew word “hayah”, which is a verb that means to come to pass, become, or be. The same word is used repeatedly throughout the entirety of Genesis chapter 1 as God speaks order out of chaos, substance out of a void, and beauty out of formlessness. The first use of the word hayah is found in Genesis 1:3 which says, “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” It’s particularly interesting to note that we’re seeing it used in two different tenses in this verse. Hayah is both the speaking of the Word (let there be - future tense), and the result of God’s Word (and there was - past tense).
Consider that God chose us in Him before the foundation of the earth (Eph 1:4), and that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand (Eph 2:10), and that He knew us from the our unformed substance (Psalm 139). With that thought captive, consider His strength displayed in His providence over every aspect of your life. God “is your” strength. He is your strength in the things of the past as He brings order from chaos, He is your strength in the present as His word speaks life and light into your circumstances, and He is your strength in the future as you look for His glory to be revealed as the grand weaver. Read Genesis 45 and see the work of the Lord in bringing chaos to order in a wonder’FULL’ way in the story of Joseph and his family. His providence, indeed, is over all.
However, the beautiful promise of His strength is manifested in our quietness and trust. Take a note from the story of Joseph and his steadfastness and trust in the Lord amid the pits, prisons, and Egyptian captivity. Take a note from the story of Daniel and his steadfastness and trust amid Babylonian captivity. Read Psalm 139 and be still before the Lord. The God who sees, El Roi, sees you. “The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25).
Finally, it’s important to note from from this passage that there are two important keys to this promise. First, we must come to Him in repentance and rest. According to Romans 8:28, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” The invitation is universal, but the promise is exclusive. Second, we must be willing. Free will is necessary for love to truly manifest itself, but with free will comes the opportunity to reject and turn away. We each have a decision to make, and none of us are sitting on any proverbial fence. Don’t be unwilling; the time is now. “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).
“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said, In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength. But you were not willing.” (Isaiah 30:15).
