The Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. Isa. 30:17
Heavenly Father, what a fabulous way to begin this Friday, and enter our weekend—hearing you say you long to be gracious to us. For the stressors of this season are stretching the resources of our hearts. Thank you for promising rest for the weary, not a pep-talk for slackers.
We’re not facing Israel’s crisis, during Isaiah’s day—when you first spoke these comforting words. The Assyrian and Babylonian armies aren’t on the horizon. Our stressors include a virus that won’t go away, and a country that has lost its way; ever-changing work-scenarios in front of us, and relational-dynamics inside of us.
Living in a “cancel-culture” is exhausting, Father. Old quotes and new mis-speaks get us shamed and “canceled.” Not towing the “party line,” or daring to offer a different view, get us labeled and rejected. Where’d all the meanness come from?
We are a gazillion times grateful that you will never cancel us, Father. We are fully and eternally accepted in Jesus—known, loved, and secure. The only things you have canceled are the demands of the Law that stood against us, and the weight of our guilt that festered inside us. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We repent of listening to the squawking voices of human “parakeets,” more than the comforting voice of the blessed “Paraclete”—God the Holy Spirit. We repent of under-believing the Gospel, and over-indulging news feeds. We repent of making too much time for vexation, and not enough time for adoration.
Father, as you rise to show us compassion, we sit down, shut up, get still and “let you” be gracious to us. Help us reestablish the rhythms of Gospel-shaped thinking and resting. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus lovely and loving name.