Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the last part of the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Isaiah 30. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Life is hectic. It has already been a busy day for some of us. We likely have more plans for this evening. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a day of rest, but there is lots of football, perhaps a walk, and maybe even some chores to attend to.
- Life is also full of threats, the potential of having to deal with major disruptions and changes. Our text was written at a time when the nation of Israel was under threat from the Assyrians. The prophets had already announced with certainty that defeat from the Babylonians was soon to come, and then a period of 70 years of captivity.
- So, the people of God had big threats and big changes to contemplate. How we deal with such uncertainties and discomfort is important to God. It is important to Him how we deal with the challenges in our lives today!
- We have options – at least we almost always have at least some options. Usually, we resort to our own devices – whatever power and prerogatives we possess. Our text warns against this, especially when the threats are upon us. Rather, our text urges us to “TRUST IN GOD,” and guarantees that we will be blessed as we rest and rely upon God.
- The other choice – to trust in ourselves and to resort to whatever seems to offer escape and safety – often yields disaster! So as we close out 2017 and look to what 2018 will bring, let us also put our “TRUST IN GOD.” For:
I. In Christ Jesus, God Offers Us All Blessings
A. Repentance And Faith Provides Us With Eternal Life And Salvation
Text: “In returning and rest you shall be saved.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all iniquities.”
John 3:36 “He that believes the Son has everlasting life.”
John 5:24 “He that hears My Word and believes on Him Who sent Me has everlasting life; he shall not come into condemnation but has passed from death to life.”
B. Likewise, Resting In Trust And Confidence In God Brings Us Great Strength
Text: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Statement: It is absolutely our first response to threats and challenges to see what we can do to help ourselves. It is often only when we reach a point of desperation that we turn to God. Just the opposite is advised. We are to know God, His love, His gracious forgiveness and mercy, His absolute commitment to our greatest good and well-being, including eternal life! Then we will be trusting in Him, not just when trials or burdens come, but all the time. Then our reaction to challenges will be from strength, knowing God’s salvation, and as we trust in God we will have peace and even greater strength to face and overcome our difficulties!
Application: This is a great blessing that God wills each of us to have, a blessing He seeks to bestow on all of His blessed children. I suppose that it “feels” somewhat disempowering, and somewhat weak. But we need to remember what the apostle Paul wrote: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” [2 Cor. 12:10] It is counterintuitive, or at least it feels this way, but we need to remember that God’s greatest weakness is far stronger than our greatest power! And when our power is removed, and doesn’t get in the way, then God’s power kicks in to save us and bless us! So the encouragement to “TRUST IN GOD.”
Transition: And while the other course of action, being strong and swift and skilled at providing our own escapes seems the wisest course of action, in reality:
II. Self-Determination And Self-Reliance Brings Disaster To Us
A. Fleeing – By Denial, Self-Justification, Excuse Making, And Projecting Invincibility – Will Only Yield More Fleeing
Text: “But you were unwilling, and you said, ‘No! We will flee upon horses’; therefore you shall flee away; and ‘We will ride upon swift steeds”; therefore your pursuers shall be swift.”
B. In The End, No Matter What Our Self-Reliant Strategy May Be, God Is Able To Overcome
Text: “A thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill.”
Statement: Of course, just as God is able to bring calamity on those who reject Him and rely upon themselves, so He is also perfectly able to deliver all those who trust in Him and rest on His promises!
Application: So if we feel secure in our own strength and skills, we are utterly vulnerable and headed toward disaster. On the other hand, when we feel weak and incapable, but know and trust in God’s love and His power and His promises, then we are absolutely safe and secure, and even strong.
Conclusion: Again, as we head into 2018, we have these same assurances, and these dynamics will prevail. God has stated it; He always keeps His Word.
Yes, it is counterintuitive, and uncomfortable to our sinful nature to throw ourselves on God and trust in Him. But it is as He declares: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
So let us “TRUST IN GOD.” Then our life in the coming year will truly be happy and blessed. God grant it to us all, Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting. Amen.