HIGHLIGHT
Isaiah 30:18 (ESV): 18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
EXPLAIN
Isaiah 30-31 warn God’s people of trusting in Egypt. Despite this warning, God told his prophet to write down in a book that his people were an eternally rebellious people.
The Israelites wanted to flee from their enemies to the safety of Egypt. But God said, “Wait!”
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
While Israel would not wait on God, but demanded immediate action, God said in verse 18 that he was waiting on them, waiting for the time when they would finally turn to him and receive his grace.
APPLY
So often we resemble the Israelites, stressed out by various cares and troubles in life. We get ahead of God, like a child impatiently running ahead of his parents, and then suddenly realizing he is lost. But when he returns, he finds his parents waiting patiently. And so God deals with us, demonstrating great grace once again.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, help me not to run ahead of you, failing to trust you with my life. Thank you for your great grace you shower upon me over and over. In Jesus’ name, Amen.