"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S PATIENT FAITHFUL COMPASSION TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE"
Isaiah 30:18 “But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.”
(Taken from today's reading in the One Year Bible, 9/19/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, explanations, questions and a prayer:
Isaiah had been sent by the Lord to minister to the southern kingdom of Judah. He was sent to call the people to God and to warn them of what would happen if they persisted in their sin and rebellion towards God. He was God's messenger of grace, love, forgiveness, restoration and hope. By the way, each of us as believers are called to a similar ministry. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation, to help bring people to faith. May we be good and faithful ministers of Jesus Christ.
This particular verse is an expression of God's heart. It's a very, very beautiful truth about God and His love for His people.
1. God will wait for His people.
Isaiah 30:18 “But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.”
This was spoken by Isaiah from God to God's people.
The message was, "the LORD still waits for you”.
Imagine that in the midst of sin and rebellion, God was waiting for His people.
Our God is a "waiting" God.
Waits here, means to wait, tarry, await, to wait for, to long for.
2. God waits for His people to come to Him.
Isaiah 30:18 “But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.”
God's people had turned their backs upon Him.
But God had not turned His heart away from them.
God was longing for them to come back to Him.
God was waiting for them.
3. God waits for His people to come to Him so he can show them His love and compassion.
Isaiah 30:18 “But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.”
God was waiting for His people to come to Him
God was not waiting for His people to come to Him so He could punish them.
God was waiting for His people to come to Him so that He could show them two things.
(1) God wanted to show them His love.
(2) God wanted to show them His compassion.
4. Our God is a faithful God.
Isaiah 30:18 “But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.”
God not only is a waiting God, but He is a faithful God.
God is dependable.
You can count on God to do what He says He will do.
That's just the way He is.
He not only is faithful, but He never changes.
He is always faithful.
5. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them.
Isaiah 30:18 “But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.”
God's people are blessed as they wait upon God,
God will help those who wait upon Him.
Wait here means, the same as above, to long for.
So, the person who longs for God to help them will be blessed.
That is a promise from God to those who wait for Him.
Some Questions:
1. Would you say God is waiting for you right now, or you are waiting for God?
2. If you find yourself today away from God, please know that He is waiting for You to come back to Him.
3. Guess what God is waiting to show you? HIs love and compassion.
4. Are you waiting for the Lord at this time in your life?
5. Please know that as you wait, God promises to bring a blessing to you.
6. May you be encouraged by the many truths in this one simple verse
A Prayer:
Father, this verse is perhaps one of the most lovely verses in the entire Bible. It's filled with grace, love, compassion and faithfulness.
Thank You for being who You are towards us. We are not always what we ought to be towards You, but You never cease being towards us who You are. You remain the same, You do not change, You are faithful. Lord, if we are away from You, we want to declare this day, we want to come back to You and receive Your love and compassion. And, Lord, if we are in a situation where You have us waiting on You, then we thank You in advance for the blessing that is ours, or that is coming. You wait and we wait. The center point of it all is our being with You and You being with us. Walking and living together as friends who value and appreciate each other. Thank You, Lord, for being so incredible. We do not have the words to express what is in our hearts. Would you help us to have hearts that can write out or speak out our thoughts to You. Blessed be the name of the Lord, forever and ever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
