“A WORTHWHILE WAIT”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
DECEMBER 13, 2021
READ: Isaiah 30 (Focus vs.15–19)
MEMORY VERSE
“The Lord longs to be gracious to you…Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18
BACKGROUND
Stuck in a stressful job with long hours and an unreasonable boss, James wished he could quit. But he had a mortgage, a wife, and a young child to take care of. He was tempted to resign anyway, but his wife reminded him: “Let’s hang on and see what God will give us.”
Many months later, their prayers were answered. James found a new job that he enjoyed and gave him more time with the family. “Those months were long,” he told me, “but I’m glad I waited for God’s plan to unfold in His time.”
Waiting for God’s help in the midst of trouble is hard; it can be tempting to try to find our own solution first. The Israelites did just that: under threat from their enemies, they sought help from Egypt instead of turning to God (Isaiah 30:2).
But God told them that if they would repent and put their trust in Him, they would find strength and salvation (v. 15). In fact, He added, “the LORD longs to be gracious to you” (v. 18).
Waiting for God takes faith and patience. But when we see His answer at the end of it all, we’ll realize it was worth it: “Blessed are all who wait for him!” (v. 18). And what’s even more amazing, God is waiting for us to come to Him!
By: Leslie Koh
INSIGHT
Isaiah 30 contains themes of both judgment and restoration for God’s people and judgment for the nations who oppressed them. The chapter can be broken down into three parts.
Verses 1–18 note a warning and dangers for Judah who created an alliance with Egypt without consulting God (vv. 1–2).
In verses 6 and 7, we see the envoys from Judah traveling through a dangerous land to take their “riches” and “treasures” to Egypt, which the Egyptians required in payment for military help. However, Isaiah warned that Egypt wouldn’t help as they claimed they would.
The middle portion of the chapter, verses 19–26, provides a glimmer of hope, saying that the people of Zion in Jerusalem (v. 19) would one day be healed and blessed; their land, in particular, would be fruitful (vv. 23–25).
However, the chapter ends on a solemn note, proclaiming judgment on Assyria (v. 31).
By: Julie Schwab
APPLICATION
What prayer request has you waiting on God? How can you meditate on His faithfulness as you seek His answer?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Our Timing is always off. His Timing is Perfect because He is Perfect – pr
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“Waiting for God takes faith and patience. But when we see His answer at the end of it all, we’ll realize it was worth it…(amazingly) God is waiting for us to come to Him!”
*YOUR TAKE? 
PRAYER
“Father, give me the patience to wait for Your answer. I know You’re a good and loving God whose timing and will are always perfect.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I DON’T MIND WAITING” Juanita Bynum Jonathan Butler
… You, know
Sometimes in life
Situations are going to occur
Where you may look
to the left or the right
And you can’t find any answers
…you can’t find anybody to help you
But I’m reminded of the Word that says:
“They that wait upon the Lord
He shall renew their strength
They shall mount up on wings as eagles
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint
Come on
You’ve got to learn how to wait
… I don’t mind waiting
I don’t mind waiting
I don’t mind waiting,
On You Lord…
On You Lord
… I don’t mind waiting
I don’t mind waiting
I’m gonna wait on…
On You Lord
I don’t mind waiting
Because I know
He’ll come after awhile
I don’t mind waiting
…I don’t even mind no
I’ll wait on You Lord
… I don’t mind waiting…
…I will wait on you
…on You Lord…
… I don’t mind waiting
it’s a long, long way…
I don’t mind waiting
I don’t mind waiting
I don’t mind waiting,
It’s a privilege,
it is an honor…
… I don’t mind waiting
So good….
I don’t mind waiting,
No I don’t mind…
I don’t mind waiting…
I don’t mind waiting, on You Lord
Yes I don’t mind waiting, waiting…
Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF HOSEA CHAPTERS 1-7
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW CHAPTERS 1-10