“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.”
(Isaiah 10:20)
The promise in this passage declares that the remnant of Israel, those whom God preserved by grace, will no longer trust in the nations that caused their trouble but in the Lord alone.
At different times in their history, Israel trusted in foreign powers for protection and safety, yet those very powers became their oppressors. This is the nature of sin and false confidence. The things men trust instead of God often become the instruments of their misery and demise. Wealth, strength, human wisdom, and worldly alliances promise security but bring disappointment. The Lord, in mercy, often allows these false supports to fail so that the soul may learn to trust in Him alone.[1]
True repentance teaches the soul to “stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” This staying upon God is an act of faith, dependence, and continual trust. It is a settled reliance on God’s character, promises, and power. The penitent soul learns that God alone is sufficient. He is Jehovah, the fountain of being, able to give existence to His promises and to bring deliverance even out of darkness and desolation.
The remnant are described in Scripture as those who return with weeping and supplication, seeking the Lord and asking the way to Zion (Jeremiah 31:9). Their faces are set toward God, and they resolve that the Lord shall save them, and not any earthly power. As Psalm 33:17 teaches, “A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.”
Our God is all-sufficient. He has everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4). There is no condition in which His help is not near, no difficulty beyond His power, and no promise He is unable to fulfill. He can command deliverance and bring light out of darkness.
Therefore, the penitent soul must learn to stay upon the Lord in truth—not in outward profession but in sincere and continual dependence. This is the mark of the remnant: they trust in God alone.
Contemplations:
- Turning from false trusts. Lord, I confess that I often trust in things that cannot save me. I look to my own strength, my own plans, and the help of others before I look to You. Yet these things often fail me and leave me troubled. Teach me to turn away from every false confidence and to trust in You alone, who never fails.
- Shame for my sin. Father, when I truly see my sin, I am ashamed of my ways and how often I have wandered from You, relying on myself instead of resting in Your promises. Bring me to true repentance, that I may turn fully to You with my whole heart.
- Teach me to stay upon You. Lord, I want to learn what it means to stay upon You in truth. Not just to say that I trust You, but to actually rest my heart upon You in every difficulty, every fear, and every uncertainty. Teach me to depend on Your strength, Your wisdom, and Your promises.
- You alone are my help. Lord, Your Word teaches that a horse is a vain thing for safety, and I see that all earthly help is uncertain. But You are strong, faithful, and able to deliver. Help me look to You first, to wait for You patiently, and to trust that You will do what is best.
Prayer (Supplication)
Gracious and faithful Father, I come before You, asking that You teach my heart to truly turn from sin and trust in You alone. Your Word says that the remnant shall no more stay upon him that smote them, but shall stay upon the Lord in truth, and I confess that I have often stayed myself upon things that have wounded me instead of turning fully to You.
Lord, I ask that You work true repentance in my heart. Let me remember my ways and be ashamed of my sin. Show me the emptiness of trusting in myself, in the world, or in any created thing. Turn my heart away from every false confidence and bring me to rest in You alone.
Teach me to stay upon You in truth. When I am afraid, let me stay upon You. When I am uncertain, let me stay upon You. When I am weak, let me stay upon You. When I do not understand what You are doing, let me still stay upon You. Let my heart learn to depend upon You in every condition of life.
Lord, You are the Holy One of Israel, the God of everlasting strength. You are able to create deliverance where there is none, to bring light out of darkness, and to fulfill every promise You have made. Help me believe this not only in my mind, but in my heart and in my life.
Forgive me for trusting in things that cannot save. Forgive me for relying on my own wisdom and strength. Forgive me for the many times I have doubted Your care and Your power. Strengthen my faith, that I may trust You more fully.
Cause me to look to my Maker and not to the work of my own hands. Cause me to say with sincerity, “Truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel” (Jeremiah 3:23). Let this be the settled conviction of my soul.
Keep me among that remnant who return to You with their whole heart. Preserve me in faith, lead me in repentance, and teach me to rest on You all my days.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Further Scripture References Isa. 10:20:
Isaiah 17:7; Psalm 78:5; Hosea 3:5; Isaiah 30:15
[1] Edward Leigh, A Treatise of the Divine Promises in Five Books, (London: George Miller, and are to be sold by Thomas Underhill .., 1641), 345–347.
