Experience God’s rest
“Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions. They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about your ‘Holy One of Israel.’” Isaiah 30:8-11 NLT
When the Israelites thought that they won’t be able to defeat the conquering Assyrians, the officials back in Jerusalem forge a treaty with Egypt. The leaders of Judah are not seeking things above instead they trust the capability of the one that enslaved them before. Despite the victory that God had won for them when they were freed from Egyptian bondage, they were reverting back to self-rescue. “The caravan moves slowly across the terrible desert to Egypt—donkeys weighed down with riches and camels loaded with treasure—all to pay for Egypt’s protection” (Isaiah 30:6). Their grueling trip back to Egypt from which they had escaped is reversing their very salvation, the freedom from bondage with nothing to gain; “All this, and Egypt will give you nothing in return. Egypt’s promises are worthless!” (Isaiah 30:6b-7). God in His graciousness is calling us who are stumbling through life to “Come to [Him] me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and [He] I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29). We need to ask ourselves this question; “Why am I going back to a false savior who has disappointed me again and again and cost me dearly?” The Israelites have rejected God’s wisdom for their own unfounded knowledge; “these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions.” (Isaiah 30:8). The problem of the people in Isaiah’s generation was an unteachable displeasure with the word of God. They didn’t want to hear it because God’s spiritual remedy includes a call to them to surrender to His ways and to His will. They are not willing to submit to God for the cost is too big. So they just got tired of Isaiah’s preaching for they only want to hear messages that would suit their preferences. True spirituality is based upon the word of God. We need to open our hearts to God for in the gospel God speaks with love and grace. Open up your heart wide to God so that you will gain the wisdom that will help you cope in trying times. “In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God...They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Blessings,
