“So the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you mercy. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.”

Isaiah 30:18 (NRSV)

This is one of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture. It reveals the heart of a God who is not distant or detached, but deeply involved. God is gracious. God is merciful. God is waiting for you.

He is waiting while you search for peace.

He is waiting while you carry things that have weighed you down for far too long. He keeps on waiting while you try to hold it together when you feel like falling apart. He is waiting for you to come, He waits to be gracious to you.

He waits with love.

He waits with compassion.

He waits with open arms.

You don’t need to be perfect to come to Him. You don’t need to have the answers. You just need to come.

Come with your pain. Come with your mess. Come with your questions.

He is not looking for performance, He is looking for surrender. And when you come, He meets you with grace.

He knows every wound, every regret, every fear and He still chooses to wait to show you grace and rise up to show you mercy.

This kind of love doesn’t shame. No it doesn’t. This is the kind of love that heals. This kind of compassion doesn’t push away, this kind draws near.

There is a promise in this verse. A blessing for those who wait on Him. A reward for those who trust Him enough to come close.

So today, ask yourself – Do you need love? Do you need compassion? Do you need rest?

You already know the answer and so does He.

Be encouraged, the door is open, the invitation is yours.

Your God is waiting!

Will you come?