The promise of return
by Jill Lange-Mohr
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion’ (Isaiah 30:18).
It’s just too easy to worry about things, isn’t it? How many sleepless nights have you had when you can’t imagine a solution to your dilemma? You and your family pay a high price for this: lack of sleep can make you irritable and not easy to live with, in both your personal and work life. You can end up overreacting to things, and this then creates other issues. Worry comes from the Greek word that means ‘to divide the mind’. Worry and anxiety split us right down the middle.
‘Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you.’ Those who put their confidence in God will take comfort in this, especially when life is difficult. God shows his graciousness to us through his mercy, which will give us comfort, especially in those challenging times. Our Lord is a God of grace. He has promised to return; he has asked us to wait for him.
God waits for us to return to him when we stray, and he will be ready to take us in, just as he did in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. He will continually shower you with his favour and take opportunities to be gracious to you. He will listen to your prayers. God gives us not only his word but hearing ears, and not only grace but a heart to respond in love and service. The effect of this gives extraordinary comfort and joy to God’s people, as we await his return.
Heavenly Father, you have promised to be gracious to us and show compassion. God of grace, give us the patience to wait for your return. Amen.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
