Devotions: Longing Compassion

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him.

Isaiah 30:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

In the midst of God’s punishment and wrath, we need to remember this. Israel had been warned against trusting in an earthly army to save them. But they rejected God and His instruction and so incurred His wrath. However, that is not the end. He didn’t send them away to eternal punishment. It only lasted for a time because He “longs…waits” to have compassion. The verses just prior to this are the key. “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” We lose compassion through sin, but we can regain it, all the sooner, through repentance. The rest of the chapter further expresses His desire and longing to bestow compassion and grace. He is just but He is also loving. He will restore, He will make the pain as if it had never been. He longs to do it. He is only waiting for us to turn to Him. Is there something that has come between you and God? Have you put your trust and hope in something earthly? Return to Him and experience His restoration!

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