Isaiah 30:15-18
The Plan of God is the Safest Way
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.”—Isaiah 30:15a
But you were not willing. And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,” Therefore you shall flee! “And we will ride on swift horses,”—Isaiah 30:15b, 16a
Accepting God’s way promises security
God’s plan for dealing with our crisis is repentance from path of self-destruction,” and “calmly” “rest” in God’s promises of deliverance.
Accepting God’s way promises stability
God is the only reliable source of strength or military power that is dependable. In quietness we are assured that God is our Friend. “This is the victory that overcomes the world—even our faith.”
The Plan to Reject God’s Way is catastrophe
But you were not willing. . ..,” Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift. One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, until you are left as a flag on a mountain top and as a signal on a hill. —Isaiah 30:15b, 16b-17
Rejecting God’s way leads life in calamity
Judah’s refusal to trust in God’s promises of salvation place their security in jeopardy. Entrusting your safety and strength to horses or personal ability is a sure catastrophe.
Rejecting God’s way reverses the blessing of superiority
A choice of not trust in God, reverses your blessing on your way to Canaan into a curse.
five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. —Leviticus 26:8
“How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, And the LORD had given them up? —Deuteronomy 32:30
Isaiah’s message sets a challenge that we will face in our lifetime: Should we calmly trust God’s strength and deliverance in difficult situations, or should we do everything humanly possible to bring victory through our own strength? God’s way offers life; any other choice will bring failure and death.
Conclusion
Therefore, the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. —Isaiah 30:18
In all situation, God called us to turn to faith and to rest on God’s grace and promises. In the midst of turmoil, God asks in us quietness and confidence in His control over devastation. But when we say no, God will wait after His work of judgement is complete to show mercy unto you.
God waits in expectation for Israel (5:2, 4, 7). The prophet Isaiah waited in hope (8:17). In the day of God’s salvation, the redeemed will say, “Our God, for whom we waited, and He will save us” “25:9). The righteous say, “We wait for you (33:2). “Those waiting on YHWH will renew their strength” (40:31). “You will know . . . those waiting will never be disappointed” (49:23).