Elusive Rest

Isaiah 30:15 contains a rich promise. It is the same as our Saviour offers in Matthew 11:28-30. It is something precious for the soul, an inner peace that expresses itself in real life and in the real world. Yet how many find it?
 
The context in Isaiah 30 is one of rebellion and refusal to ask for what is promised. In Matthew 11, the context is also one of opposition and refusal. In Isaiah 30:9 they do not hear and in v10 they say 'No' to the things of God. They despise the word of God (v12) and do the opposite of what it says to them (v16). The promise of rest seems elusive but that is because of our hard hearts. We are not willing (Luke 13:34) just as the people in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is so great a promise, yet we are, in our hearts, drawn back to Egypt.

Main Headings:

1: What is promised here
2: Being persuaded
3: Only God can give rest