Isaiah 30:15-18 Isaiah's ministry began not long before the fall of the Northern kingdom. Judah was on the slippery slope into apostasy. Isaiah is reminding his readers of the real source of their wellbeing and strength; and that they are rejecting it to their loss. There is a warning here that if they continue on their present course, the very things that they put their trust in and brag about will be used to bring about their downfall. Yet God in His mercy and love still longs to reach out to His people. Salvation in this context speaks more of the ongoing relationship of salvation with God, rather than being brought into that relationship. To the extent that we insist on doing things in our own way in our own time, to that extent there is no relationship with God. The verse tells us that, "In repentance and rest is our salvation." Repentance is the turning away from our own way from and forsaking our own way and turning to God's way. Rest is the total reliance in God as our ultimate source of everything. If we would be strengthened, it must be in quietness and in confidence, keeping peace in our own minds, and relying upon God Just as God's people Israel rejected this kind of relationship with God, we can and often do the same. We think that somehow, we have a better way. The natural result of doing things our own way is disaster and we've all been there. In verse 18 Isaiah assures us that it is God's desire to show His people Grace and Compassion. The ones who wait for God are the ones who are blessed. God is the God, and author of time. He has made the past, the present, and the future. He knows and has control of the proper time for everything and we can trust Him to work for our best as we trust in and rely upon Him. Let us learn to wait upon Him.

Our Way or God's Way?