Waiting In God’s Presence

Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence! As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame! When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked! For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly.

Isaiah 64:1-5

Have you ever wished that God would reveal himself in frightening majesty? Apparently Isaiah, in his lonely and often unpopular role as prophet, sometimes longed for such a revelation to reinforce his message to the Israelites that they should renew their love toward God. As Isaiah reflected on what it would be like for God to burst forth from the heavens, he renewed his commitment to serve the Almighty no matter what the cost. He recalled how God had intervened on behalf of faithful believers in the past; he affirmed that God certainly “works for those who wait for him.”

Take time today to calm your soul before the Lord. Commit your worries and problems to him, and wait on him to answer.

• Holy God, you work on behalf of those who wait for you . . .