Isaiah 30:8-18

“…blessed are all those who wait for him” (Is 30:18, ESV)

What does it mean to wait? Patience readily comes to mind. But there is more to the question I feel. It goes beyond patience to trust: not knowing when or how the one you are waiting for will show up, but having faith, believing that they will come through for you before it’s too late.

I guess it’s not any easy thing for us to wait for God, which is probably why he said those who do wait for him will be blessed. But waiting means trusting. And the LORD God, the Holy One of Israel has said in Isaiah 30:15, “in quietness and trust shall be your strength” (ESV).

Our strength comes from God as we trust in him. And as we trust in him, we learn to wait for him. And when we wait for him, he blesses us. So difficult to actually live out, but such a wonderful promise.
And as the psalmist says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Ps 27:14, NIV).

Isaiah 30:1-7

I don't know how many times I have read these verses over that past few months, but as I read them yesterday morning, it was as thouugh I understood them for the first time. The verse God used to really draw me in and open my eyes was verse 2--"Who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction..."(ESV).

How dangerous it is for us to go about making and carrying out big decisions without first consulting God. When we try live our life on our own and look to the world for help, shame and disgrace will be our reward.

"Egypt's hlep is worthless and empty; therefore I have called her 'Rahab who sits still'" (verse 7, ESV).