This Esther Bible Study by Beth Moore is simply amazing. It has just reached into my heart and met me right where I am.
(Yes, I realize this is my second post in a row that quotes Beth Moore, I'm not obsessed, I promise! And I know I better write about something else, quickly, before Living Proof Ministries flags my account for suspicion of stalker like behavior! HA!)
The other night at Bible Study Beth was reading Isaiah 30:18, and like she always does, she shed some light on it that allowed me to see it in a whole new way...in a way I assume the Lord intended for it to be seen all along...
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him."
To be honest, I have always struggled with this verse. My instinct has always been to retort "Well, you ARE the God of the universe you know, so if you are longing then just go ahead and be gracious already!! Give me, give me, give me!"
I know. To quote the bumper sticker: I am not perfect, just forgiven.
Beth explained that in the original Hebrew, "longs" shares the same meaning as "waits".
The Lord is waiting to be gracious. And blessed are those who are waiting on Him to do so.
She then went on to paint the most beautiful picture of our Heavenly Father, who loves us so dearly, longing. Longing to be gracious to us. Longing to answer the requests we cry out to Him. Longing to give us the desires of our heart.
When we pray and do not get our answer, He is waiting on something. And while we wait, sometimes in agony, He is waiting too...perhaps in agony as well.
To recognize that the God of the universe could be in agony over my longing was sobering to say the least.
Beth explained that in the original Hebrew, "longs" shares the same meaning as "waits".
The Lord is waiting to be gracious. And blessed are those who are waiting on Him to do so.
She then went on to paint the most beautiful picture of our Heavenly Father, who loves us so dearly, longing. Longing to be gracious to us. Longing to answer the requests we cry out to Him. Longing to give us the desires of our heart.
When we pray and do not get our answer, He is waiting on something. And while we wait, sometimes in agony, He is waiting too...perhaps in agony as well.
To recognize that the God of the universe could be in agony over my longing was sobering to say the least.
As I type this, I can't help but think about the people in my life who are so heavy on my heart right now...my sister who is dealing with confusion regarding my niece's medical care, and is longing for answers... a dear friend whose marriage is ending, and is longing for comfort... and another sweet friend who is awaiting some very important test results tomorrow, and is longing for God's healing hand...
He is longing too.
9 comments:
Thanks for this perspective... I needed it this week!!
Kendra--
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your posts... they always make me stop and think.
I pray for those in your life that you mentioned, who are heavy on your heart right now.
Thinking of you...
Love,
Jen
Beautifully explained Kendra! I hadn't really thought of God waiting while we are waiting. That is so comforting!
God wants RELATIONSHIP with us. He longs for that. His patience is everlasting.
Happy Anniversary, Kendra & Dave.
LOVE, DAD
So great Kendra :)
Wow, I've never heard it explained that way! How amazing to realize that God is longing to dry our tears just as much as we are longing to stop crying! Thanks for sharing this, Kendra. I am planning on doing the Esther study this summer with some girlfriends and am SO looking forward to it!
God is doing so much in and through you right now, I can sense it :)
Oh wow, what a beautiful illustration. Thank you so much for sharing what you are learning. He is using you to touch other people's lives.
I too have never though of God waiting and longing with us. Your post has really opened my eyes to my view on our situation as well as lots of others. I really admire and appreciate you faith and trust in the Lord!
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