Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.
ISAIAH 30:18 (CSB)

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How good is God? How loving and kind? This chapter is written to rebels. It is directed toward those who had exchanged God Almighty for idols they made with their hands. Verse 11 gets to the heart of the matter. The people God chose, delivered, and established in the Promised Land said to him, “Get out of the way! Leave the pathway. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel.”

This is where a person is permitted to think, “If I were God, I would have wiped out those people.” I am really glad you and I are not God. God’s love extends beyond the limits of our patience and kindness. When we run out of compassion and care, God is just getting warmed up. Honestly, aren’t you glad to hear this? 

What does God say to these rebels without a clue? Look at verse 15:

For the LORD GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said:
“You will be delivered by returning and resting;
your strength will lie in quiet confidence.

There’s more where that came from. Check out verse 18:

Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy,
And is rising up to show you compassion,
For the LORD is a just God.
All who wait patiently for him are happy.

It gets better in verse 21 when God says, “and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Want more? Check out verse 29.

Your singing will be like that 
on the night of a holy festival,
and your heart will rejoice
like one who walks to the music of a flute, 
going up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the Rock of Israel.

That sounds like Christmas all year round. 

Life may be hard right now. Do not make it harder by rebelling against God. Instead, align and attune your mind, will, and emotions with his. Live a restful life of quiet confidence. Learn how to wait on God and to experience the happiness of watching him do what only he can do. Listen for his voice as he directs your steps saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” Sing for joy as you turn your heart toward God in full adoration. 

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I will live with the quiet confidence that comes from returning to God and resting in him. 

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Our Father, thank you that your patience, kindness, love, mercy, and compassion are greater than all my sin piled high and kindled into a bonfire of my vanity. Thank you for wanting each of us to come to you, to know and experience you, and to turn away from every lesser charm. Amen.