A WAITING GOD AND A WAITING PEOPLE Isaiah 30:1 - 21 Assyrian threat Read verse 18 - "And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him!" 19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. Note : - I. THE PURPOSE OF THE WAIT "THEREFORE WILL THE LORD WAIT, THAT HE MAY BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU" There Is A : - (a) People "gracious unto you."
Yet there was a remnant, there were a few, to whom God would be gracious. (b) Patience "therefore will the Lord wait" This word "wait" implies a longing and panting desire. Illus: The Prodigal - "His father ran!" (c) Plan "that he may be gracious unto you."
(d) Prize "and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you" II Tim. 1:9-10; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: II Pet. 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. v.15. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 2.THE PRAISE OF THE WAIT "And therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you."
1. He will not be gracious until all carnal confidence has been destroyed - v. 2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; v.3,Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, v.16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
2. He will not be gracious until all rebellion is exposed, - v. 9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Illus: The Prodigal. 3. He will not be gracious until his elect are made to cry for him v. 19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. 4. He will not be gracious until He is exalted - v. 18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Illus: The Publican "And therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you."
Here is God exalted in order to save. The word "exalted" means "lifted up!" A. Christ was lifted up on the cross as the Sinner's Substitute, B. exalted, to the throne of God, as the Sinner's Sovereign to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance, pardon eternal life to God's elect C. Christ Jesus is lifted up, in the ministry of the Word, as the Sinner's Saviour so that whosoever believes on him might have everlasting life 3. THE PROMISE OF THE WAIT "For the Lord is a God of judgment."
It means two things. A. First, the Lord is a God of justice. He is a "Just God and a Savior" Isa. 45:21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. B. Secondly, it means the Lord is a God of discretion (Ps. 112:). Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 4. THE PROFIT OF THE WAIT "Blessed are all they that wait for him." 1. Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
2. Psalm 37:9, For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. v.34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
3. Psalm 123:1-2 Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. 2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
4. Isaiah 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
5. Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
6. Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
7. Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
8. Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Blessed is that man or woman who waits for the Lord. For His Gracious Presence. For the Performance of His Promises. For the Answer to their Prayers. For Deliverance from Trouble. For the Blessings of His Grace. For Direction in His Will. For Eternal Glory and Happiness. When many troubles vex you - When trials overwhelm you -
When enemies assail you - When the way's dark before you -
When satan would destroy you - Then wait, the Lord is with you!
His grace will never fail you! He waits with grace to bless you!
Sit still, be quiet and listen - Wait on the Lord, His children,
No shame shall come upon you! He will defend and keep you! "Blessed are all they that wait for him!"
