He’s Getting Up
Recently one of our contributors, Katie Sweeting, referred to Isaiah 30’s references to the “quietness and trust” (verse 15 NIV) God wants us to have amid our frazzled lives. That entire chapter has been on my mind for several weeks. In the next verses Isaiah talks about the Israelites running away from the coming enemy on horses. In my mind this is the modern equivalent of running to every option of an earthly nature rather than seeking God’s way out of our difficulties.
The next verse is so tender to me. In verse 18, Isaiah 30 says,” Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him.” There have been so many times when I have wanted to run away from life’s responsibilities and problems. God is waiting for us to run to Him. He wants to soothe our hurts and even bring justice in an unfair situation. He longs to help us, but there must be repentance for trying to do it all our way and not His.
The image of the King of Glory rising to show me compassion makes me think of how my grandparents used to get up in the middle of the night to greet my parents, my brother and me after a long trip. They would reach for us, take us in their arms and call us by our pet names. It always made us feel special to have that welcome. God is like that. He “rises” to meet us.
Oh,Lord, Let me trust you with all of the details. I need you.
What a great reminder to run to God when times are tough. I have been running to Him a lot lately. Thankfully He is just one breath away.