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July 22nd

The bible reading today is in Isaiah 28,29,30.

“Ah, stubborn rebellious children,” declares the Lord to Judah, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:1-2‬ ‭

God rebuked those in Judah who looked to somebody else for their salvation from Assyria. Assyria filled the land surrounding Jerusalem with her great armies. But instead of seeking God until the answer came, Judah sought help from Egypt. They couldn't wait on God.

Judah saw the devastating results of Assyria’s attacks on the northern kingdom of Israel. Thousands were killed and multiplied thousands were taken back to Assyria as slaves. Judeans were afraid. But worse than that, they could not wait on God.

Oh, Judah made plans to defend themselves. But their plans did not include God. Instead of asking God what He would have them do, they followed their own wisdom. Instead of waiting on the promptings and directions of the Holy Spirit, the leaders in Judah initiated their own strategy.

Isaiah the prophet of God told the Judeans that their way to defend Jerusalem was in vain. He told them that trying to bring Egypt to help them was futile. Egypt would sit idly by, while the Assyrians troubled Judah. But the Judeans couldn't trust God’s messenger either.

Isaiah said, “Therefore, the Lord will wait to be gracious to you.” Is. 30:18

We often wonder why God waits. There is more than one answer to that I'm convinced. But let us not miss the obvious. God waits to do things for us and in us and through us in order to teach us to wait on Him.

Let us listen to Isaiah at the end of verse 18...”Blessed are all those who wait for Him.”

Over the years, I have been asked many times what I prayed for my family. “I asked God to bless them.” Can people bless my wife and kids? Can I bless and benefit my wife snd kids? The answer is yes and yes.

But, when I compare the good that I could bestow on my family with God’s limitless resources of good for my loved ones, it’s s no brainer...I'm asking God first and foremost every time...to bless my family.

And from this passage and others, I have learned that God blesses those that wait, wait for Him to work, wait for Him to guide, wait for Him to supply.

Let’s jump ahead to Isaiah 40:31...”They that “wait upon the Lord” shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with eagles They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.”

Yes, I believe that God. God “waited” to show Himself gracious to Judah...“inorder to teach them the futility of doing life apart from Him”.

Let us listen to a new testament text in James chapter 5 verse 8...“You also, brethren, be patient. Establish your hearts in faith, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Build your heart muscle of faith by practicing patience with the Lord. Practice waiting and watching for Him to work. For Him to come through.

In Acts 1, Jesus met his disciples in Jerusalem, behind closed doors after his resurrection and just before Pentecost. He told them to wait. To wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father.

They obeyed Jesus. They waited. Right where he told them. And they and 3000 other believers received the powerful Holy Spirit for their mission of spreading the gospel to the world. It was worth their waiting for the Lord. And it will be so for us as well!

Have a great day.