God's Waiting and Ours
W. Clarkson Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy on you… I. GOD'S WAITING FOR US. "Will the Lord wait." We may look at: 1. The occasions of his waiting. He waits "that he may be gracious." (1) That he may show his grace in forgiveness; in "having mercy upon as," or in making us to feel that we are the subjects of his mercy. (2) That he may show his grace in interposition, delivering from danger, relieving from distress, saving in sickness. (3) That he may show his grace in final and complete redemption (Romans 8:23) - the taking his children away from the struggle and sorrow of earth to the rest and joy of heaven. 2. The reason of his waiting. It is because "the Lord is a God of judgment," or of rectitude. (1) He cannot forgive us till we return in spirit to him and accept his rule, until we obey his supreme command (John 6:29). (2) He cannot interpose until his intervention is fitted to purify and sanctify us. (3) He cannot call us home until the privilege and discipline of time have prepared us for the scenes and spheres of eternity. II. OUR WAITING FOR GOD. "Blessed are all they that wait for him." 1. Blessed is the patient inquirer; for he who seeks the truth and waits till light shines in upon his soul will surely find his goal. 2. Blessed is the patient worker; for he who sows the good seed of the kingdom and waits for God to give the increase will "doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." 3. Blessed is the patient sufferer; for he who "waits for the morning" through the night of pain, or loneliness, or poverty, or any other ill, will find that the glory which is to be revealed will make the sufferings of the present time incomparably small (Romans 8:18). Now God waits for us, and we for him. A few steps more and his largest promises and our highest hopes will be all fulfilled. - C. Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.