Questions come. Situations arise. Moments appear dark. Hopeless. Frightening.
To my humanness, waiting for clarity, answers, and direction would seem insanity. And so I lace up... and I run. Sometimes in the wrong direction.
I run away from grace.
Grace waiting. Grace longing.
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) "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!"
The Israelite's were seeking protection in Egypt. (vs. 2) They chose to carry out plans against what God had for them. (vs. 1) They opted to travel through dangerous territory (vs.6) to seek what they believed would be the answer to their need. (vs.7).
They silenced those who were bringing a word of the Lord. Instead, they asked for easy words. They requested pleasant words. They preferred lies. (vs. 10)
They ran from grace.
Grace waiting. Grace longing.
Like the Israelites, I am often tempted to run to what seems my visible protection. An apparent immediate answer. An instant satisfying for the emotions swelling within.
I run to my Egypt. My Egypt takes many different forms. It might be food. It might be other people. It might be my work, or even my household chores. But I run.
When I stop running... When I turn and cry out to Him, there He is.
Ready.
Grace waiting. Grace longing. Compassion rising.
He will surely respond (NLT)... The moment He hears (MSG)... As soon as He hears... (NIV) (Vs.19)
Isaiah 30: 19 (MSG) "Cry for help and you'll find it's grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he'll answer."
All I need to do is stop running from grace, and instead run to grace. To Him.
Look down. Are your running shoes on? Where are you running?
To your Egypt? Do you recognize your Egypt?
Or are you running to Him?... Longing to be gracious. Rising to show compassion.
He's ready. He's waiting.
With Him, it's grace and more grace.
I especially need to run to His grace today! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove this series!
ReplyDeleteMy "mantra" lately has been, "God's grace is sufficient!" And I sometimes list all the situations for which it is.
And it helps, a lot!
This is awesome Donnetta! I love the MSG version of 30:19. "it is grace and more grace". Beautiful! I'm going to read this again!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sending the link! So grateful you are along for this. I am tremendously blessed friend!
Yes, my friend, YES. Running with you... I love your heart.
ReplyDeleteI love how God's grace is active...it comes to us...He meets us when we take our very first step...we don't have to run very far to come crashing into it!!!!! Thanks for sharing!
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