Soul Kitchen

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

When I discovered this verse many years ago, it opened up a whole new way of thinking and living for me.

We at Soul Kitchen repeatedly write that it’s about God and what He does and has done rather than about us and what we do.

Religion = what man does to reach God.

Christianity = what God has done for man.

Isaiah 30:15 has become a benchmark verse for me to see if I am living in – embracing - what God has done and promises to do.

In repentance and rest is your salvation. I repent of the ways in which I have gone my own way or have relied on myself for salvation. I rest – even bask - in what You have done for me.

In quietness and trust in your strength. The fears, concerns, rantings even, are stilled…calmed… when I trust in God; in His faithful love and goodness towards me.

Unfortunately, Isaiah 30:15 doesn’t end where I had it end above. It continues, “but you would have none of it." Verse 16 follows with , “You said ‘No…’” and tells of what the people rely on instead of God.

That’s where I question myself. Am I walking in repentance and rest? Quietness and trust? Am I saying “No” to God in any area of my life instead of trusting God and His ways? Am I relying on myself... or others... or other things?

I couple this verse with Isaiah 32:17

The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

How I want my life to reflect this. I want this life of righteousness through Jesus Christ. A life of being able to confidently trust God and have that peace that only God can provide.

One more very cool verse that I found in my Bible travels this morning! :)

Psalm 85:10

Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.