“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! (Isaiah 30:1, 2 ESV)
Ah, stubborn children… It’s always painful to read about the rebelliousness of the people of Israel, because it paints such a clear picture of my own life..
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15a ESV)
And how do we respond to that? “Nope, I’ll do it my way. ”
Ah, stubborn children.
What’s this? In spite of our disobedience, God chooses to be gracious to us. When we realize this and repent, when we humble ourselves and trust in the Goodness of God, He will draw near. He will guide us back to the right path.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)
Not only that, He will bless us in ways that would be difficult and impossible for man to achieve on his own. To show us again and again that, yes, we can and should trust Him.
Restoration, Blessings… on top of all that, He also will give us joy and gladness.
Our God is extravagant…
” The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
His mercies never come to an end.
They are new every morning, new every morning,
Great is thy Faithfulness, oh God,
Great is thy Faithfulness “