God’s Way - Karen Pourbabaee

“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:5 NRSVCE

There are numerous times Jesus emphasized rest, such as in Mathew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Here He tells us the source of that rest—Himself. Here He tells the prerequisite—come to Me—return. Mark 6:30 is subtitled “The Return of the Twelve.” The apostles gathered around Jesus to give their ministry reports; they went out, but returned. In verse 31, Jesus said to them. “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while…” An invitation to needed rest.

 
True rest begins with returning to the Lord, just like the road-weary apostles did. And if your eyes have been off the Lord, who is True Peace, there will be no rest of any kind. We cannot have rest until we return. We cannot have strength unless we rest. Therefore, we have choices the Lord sets before us in Isaiah:

Choose to return: Seek God. “Those who diligently seek Me will find Me.” (Proverbs 8:17) Turn back from your worldly ways, from inner turmoil, from the busyness of doing even good things. Return to the Lord for reconciliation and recharge.

 
Choose to rest: Relax. No one is going to rest for you; there’s nothing unholy about taking a nap or a few hours for yourself. Surrender and experience inner rest. Both the body and soul need their proper rest. We find that when we return.

Choose to be quiet: Be still to know God. Listen for His voice. Bask in His unconditional love.

 
Choose to trust: Take that spiritual leap from fear to faith. Commit your way to Him.

 
In returning and rest is our salvation. In quietness and trust is our strength. God has spoken His Way; let us follow the path.