Waiting

by Tami Gray

What a beautiful picture of His character. Yahweh longs to be gracious to us. He will actively rise up to show us love. Yahweh is just, and those who wait on Him find blessings and joy.

The interesting thing about character is that it has nothing to do with anyone else. Character does not depend on the actions of others; it is who we are with or without their acknowledgement or approval. Likewise, Yahweh doesn’t long to be gracious to us because we receive it and react to it so well. He longs to be gracious to us because He IS grace and love.

While the entire chapter of Isaiah 18 is worth digging into, verse 18 seems to sum it up pretty well. Wait on Yahweh.

How often do I run toward something that seems or feels safe simply because it is more tangible? The table before me has two cups: one filled with poison and one empty. Will I drink the poison simply because it is there in front of me? Or will I wait on Yahweh to enter the room, knowing He comes with water that will truly satisfy?

This scripture was a reminder to me that waiting and stagnant are not the same thing. Waiting is an act of faith; it is intentional and active. Both stagnancy and rushing are fear responses, and since the enemy feeds on fear, let’s starve him instead! Waiting on Yahweh is rebellion against the enemy and the ways of the surrounding culture. Scripture is clear that we are not required to wait on God and He will always hear our cry when we turn back to Him after realizing we have rushed to a false sense of security. But oh, how much we miss in doing so.

I have found the best thing about waiting is the company. I am waiting WITH God. His timing is the same either way. I can run away, distract myself with other plans, find someone else to fill a need, lie on the floor and throw a tantrum, and fill the time in many other ways. OR I can wait ON Him WITH Him and grow closer to Him while I wait. That is where I have found peace resides-being ready to wait with Him and move with Him, no matter what the loudness of this world is shouting. I picture twirling around a dance floor with Him as He leads the way. I could be the wallflower sitting back and missing out, or I could be the one rushing around and filling punch bowls and snack trays. But I long to be the one hand in hand with Him as He guides every step.

Gracious

by Niki Banning

Gracious. What comes to mind? 

Someone who answers with kindness, one who extends their hand when help is needed, a person who covers all things in a thick blanket of lovingkindness?

This is what comes to mind as I consider gracious.

And this is what wrecked me. 

Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Did you catch that? Our Father LONGS to be gracious to you and me. His heart yearns to show us compassion, grace, and mercy. Our great big God who “speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets (Psalm 50:1 ESV)” desires to be kindhearted to us. 

All His power and majesty, all His might, all His authority–and He chooses–even longs–to extend grace to US. 

And I am humbled beyond words. 

My friend–He is a good Father. Allow Him to pour His graciousness over your tired and weary soul. Soak in His steadfast love today, and give Him all the praise.

This is His desire.