Repent and Rest!

When we hear the word “repent” it is often followed in Scripture with an admonition to take action, as in the word addressed to the church in Ephesus, “Repent and do the things you did at first.” However, there is a beautiful text in Isaiah 30 that shows us that repentance may not always be followed by something we “do.”

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,
but you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15


Repentance is about turning but sometimes what is most needed is not for us to turn and “do” but to turn and “rest.” When we have trusted in all our “doing” and lived as if everything depends on our performance and effort, we need to repent and rest on God’s promises and his faithfulness. In such quietness and trust God tells Isaiah, we will find our strength.

“Doing” and taking action will always be a part of faithfulness. But our doing needs to come from a confidence that our salvation and our strength is found in resting in God’s grace and God’s provision.

This reminds me of Psalm 23. It sounds a lot like lying down in green pastures and letting God prepare a feast before us and just enjoying the fact that our relationship cup overflows. In such quietness and rest we will then find the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.

Sadly, the Jews would have none of it. We need to have a lot of it.

Isaiah 30:15 in different versions:

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.But you were unwilling" ESV

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."
But you were not willing, NASB

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not. AMPLIFIED

This is what the Sovereign LORD,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it. NLT

This is what the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved.
If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong."
But you don't want to do that. NEW CENTURY

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me—The very thing you've been unwilling to do.
MESSAGE BIBLE