Waiting to Be Gracious

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.   (Isaiah 30:18)

Spoken to Israelites who want nothing to do with God, these words remind them (and us) of His desire to do them good, to restore them to a relationship with Himself, to rescue them from slavery to themselves and their independence from Him. 

He waits to be gracious.  He desires to show mercy.  He is a just and holy God, who yet loves His people. 

Check out verse 19:  He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry.  As soon as He hears it, He answers you. 

This is truly a God of mercy.  As soon!  

Are we so merciful to those who have offended us, and dragged our name through the dust, and forsaken our trust?  Oh this is a good God Who longs to show us mercy. 

Glory in His mercy this day.  And His patience, and forbearance, and kindness.  And let that kindness lead you to repentance.  (See Romans 2:4.)