God is at work in waiting
by Josh Hauser
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Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you (Isaiah 30:18a).
Read Isaiah 30:18–26
Nobody likes waiting. Tell a young child to wait, and they may scream, shout and throw themselves on the floor. If we are honest with ourselves, we still do this as adults, just in more subtle ways. We live in a world where everything is becoming instant and on demand. Instant messages. Instant answers. Instant gratification.
When I order something online, I find myself checking the tracking nonstop. If I message my wife a question, I notice myself becoming unnecessarily impatient if it takes longer than a minute or two for an answer.
This kind of impatience is not new.
Just before our passage for today, the people of Israel were doing something very similar. Facing a crushing enemy, they did not want to wait for God’s promised rescue. Instead, they ran off to Egypt, striking a quick political deal for security. They were looking for their own instant answers.
Yet in verse 18, we hear the Lord’s response: ‘Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.’
Pause on that for a moment. God longs to bless his people because he is a gracious God, yet he waits. In Isaiah 30, the people are waiting because their own plans have failed. God is waiting for a different reason. God waits because he is gracious. The people have trusted the wrong powers and ignored God’s word, yet the Lord still promises to act.
Verse 19 assures the people that their crying will be heard. Verses 20 and 21 promise that even in hardship, God will teach and guide them. Verse 22 speaks of turning away from false trusts. Verses 23 to 26 describe healing, provision and restored joy. What follows their impatience should be punishment; instead, they find renewal.
God is at work in the waiting.
While we are throwing tantrums, God is at work. While we think we are wasting time, God is at work. While we are ‘doomscrolling’ on social media, God is at work. God’s waiting is purposeful.
And this begs the question, what are you waiting for right now? A breakthrough? A healing? A change? An answer? If you are, remember that in the waiting, God is at work. Right now.
Isaiah speaks of a God who hears the cries of his people, who teaches them the way to walk and who remains their healer and provider. These promises are spoken while the people are still waiting.
So, when waiting begins, it becomes a moment to turn toward God. To pray. To listen. To trust that he is near.
God is at work in the waiting.
Dear God, help us trust in the waiting. Help us believe that you’re working even when we can’t see it. Give us patience and peace while we wait. Thank you for being gracious, for meeting us in the hard seasons, for never forgetting us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Josh lives in the western suburbs of Melbourne with his wife, Alice, and their two children. Josh enjoys time with his family, the beach and sports of any kind. Josh works at a school, where he feels it is a privilege to share the gospel with the next generation.
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