Morning by Morning, September 10 - In Repentance, Returning, and Rest We Shall Be Saved
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my thoughts, here at the beginning of my day. ...
You're always inviting us to more fully trust in You alone. You're always calling us to come out of the world and come to You. You're always setting before us the choice of life or death, blessing or curse, trusting in You or trusting in our ourselves, giving in to the ways of the world or seeking to walk in the ways of God. And Your heart is always that we would repent and return and rest in You, that we might receive all Your mercy and love for all of us. But the choice is ours.
A strong word of warning comes to my heart today. As You spoke to Your children in Israel, so You're speaking to Your children in our day. You assured them that "in returning and rest you shall be saved" (Isaiah 30:15), but first warned them not to "reject this word" (Isaiah 30:12). You warned them of what was to come if they would not turn their hearts to You alone as the Source of their provision and protection for themselves, for their children, and for their nation:
"Go now, write it before them on a tablet,
and inscribe it in a book,
so that it may be for the time to come
as a witness forever.
For they are a rebellious people,
faithless children,
children who will not hear
the instruction of the Lord;
who say to the seers, 'Do not see';
and to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy to us what is right;
speak to us smooth things,
prophesy illusions,
leave the way, turn aside from the path,
let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.'
Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:
Because you reject this word,
and put your trust in oppression and deceit,
and rely on them;
therefore this iniquity shall become for you
like a break in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse,
whose crash comes suddenly, in an instant;
its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel
that is smashed so ruthlessly
that among its fragments not a sherd is found
for taking fire from the hearth,
or dipping water out of the cistern.
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" (Isaiah 30:8-15).
In Your mercy and love, pour out Your Spirit of repentance and return upon our land and into our hearts. Let us find no "rest" in our own strength, our own wisdom, our own power, our own provision, our own ways that are apart from You -- for "apart from You, (we) can do nothing" (John 15:4). Apart from You, even what we think are our most righteous deeds are only as filthy rags in Your sight (Isaiah 64:6).
We need You, Lord -- now, more than ever before. Awaken us from our slumber. Bring us to our knees. Call us to call upon the name of the Lord, that we may be saved. For only in "returning and rest" shall "(we) shall be saved." But as we do, then "in quietness and in trust" You "shall be (our) Strength" (Isaiah 30:15).
For those who repent and return and rest in You, there is mercy. As You spoke of Your promise and the blessing to the children of Israel, even in the midst of their rebellion and pride, seeking to rely upon themselves instead of fully trusting in You alone, You were always so ready and willing to pour out Your mercy upon them and their land if they would only turn to You and call on Your name:
"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you;
therefore He will rise up to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for Him" (Isaiah 30:18).
As You declared this message of hope through Isaiah in his day, so You continue to declare this message of hope in ours:
"Truly, O people of Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it" (Isaiah 30:19-21).
Father, in the name of Jesus, may we hear the call of Your Holy Spirit in our day, in our hearts, and in our land. "This is the way; walk in it. This is My heart for you; turn to Me and embrace it. In repentance and return, you will find your rest and your strength in Me." ...
Yes, Lord. Let it be so, here in our hearts, here in our land, here in our day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Lord Jesus, make me more like You each day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you repent and return and rest in the Lord -- in your heart and on behalf of our nation, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Thursday Night, October 1st. Save the Date!
I'm excited to be sharing a word of encouragement and hope at the Central Texas Area Aglow Meeting at the Kendall Inn of Boerne, Texas on Thursday Night, October 1st. My wife Rocio and I will be ministering the healing love of God after the message, in a deep atmosphere of worship and prayer. Come join us at 7:00 pm and spread the word! More details to follow.
Free to Be Like Jesus!
--Transforming Power
of Inner Healing & Deliverance
New Mailing Address for Messiah Ministries:
Tommy & Rocio Hays
Messiah Ministries
17503 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 104407
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Tommy & Rocio Hays | Messiah Ministries
Please share this word to encourage a friend!
