Christian Writers Circle

Rest in the Lord
by Judy Hitson

Isaiah 30:15 NLT 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….”.

Pause. Take a few moments now and personally consider the words of Is. 30:15 NLT.

The LORD speaks to us today as He spoke to the Israelites in Jeremiah’s day. He said only in returning to Him and resting in Him would they be saved. But they would not.

Will you?

Will you return to the LORD and rest in Him?

It is a choice of our own free will.

Through my own struggles with enemies of the flesh, world and devil, I have determined my heart is fixed Ps. 57:7 KJV. When I veer off the Lord’s path to go my selfish way, I stop with the conviction of sin. Then I return to the LORD and rest in Him. He is worthy. There is no other Savior of the world. I wait for Him.

The Lord taught me an important lesson many years ago on salvation. It was a revelation that changed my life while reading 1 Peter 1:9. It is worded like this in the New English Translation, “because you are attaining the goal of your faith-the salvation of your souls.” It stunned me to think about the salvation of our souls, our mind, will and emotions. This spoke to my heart about the progression of faith. Thoughts of the second birth came to mind. Reminded that when we receive the Holy Spirit in our spirit we are born again, John 3:3,7. God reveals in His word at the spiritual birth, we are babes in Christ. He speaks to us about growing to full maturity, e.g. Eph.3:19, 4:13; Lk.8:14; Heb.6:1; 1Cor.2:6, 1Cor.14:20.

There was a season in my life when the Lord would speak to me in three verses from Scripture and still does on occasion. He revealed these were, “Three-fold Holy Spirit Punches.” One example is:
1. 1 John 1:9 – we confess our sins and the Lord forgives and cleanses us.
2. 1 Thess. 1:9 – turn to God from idols and serve Him, the living and true God.
3. 1 Peter 1:9 – attaining the goal of our faith-the salvation of our souls.
(Notice these three verses are all in the first letter, the first chapter and the ninth verse. I found this a profound word of the Lord by His Spirit.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus when I veer from Your path, help me return to You and rest in You. Amen.