Experiencing God's Presence #192 - The One Year Experiencing God's Presence Devotional
Experiencing God's Presence #192
The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:18
Imagine the heart of a father whose runaway daughter is wandering the city. The girl is making reckless decisions, bowing to addictions, squandering the love of those who truly care for her, and offering herself to those who don’t. The father knows the horrors of the street, and he grieves constantly. But his love isn’t diminished at all. He stands ready to throw his arms around her the second she returns.
God portrays Himself in Scripture as just such a Father—one who isn’t alienated by even the worst decisions we’ve made. Like any good father, He grieves for our self-inflicted wounds and the pain they cause, but He doesn’t turn His back on us. He waits for us to return. Why? Not so He can rebuke us but so He can show His deep love.
God wants to show His love. A lot of people aren’t convinced of that, but Isaiah’s words are clear. Having made a move toward us, He waits for us to make a move in response toward Him so He can pour out His heart on us. And not only does He wait to do so, the sense of the original language is that He longs to do so. It’s His passion. He is standing by in anticipation of our response.
Don’t assume you’re the only one waiting in your relationship with God. He might be waiting on you, too—not to measure up but to turn your heart more fully in His direction. Many of us “live on the streets” spiritually, catering to our habits and giving ourselves to unworthy loves. But He longs for us to engage fully with Him. When we do, He shows us the depths of His love.
Father, I want to respond to You fully and give You no cause to wait on me. Let me feel Your passion and experience Your love.
