Today's Verse: Isaiah 30:18

Friday, February 21, 2025

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!
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God is slow to exercise his justice when that justice demands his people's punishment. "Gracious and slow to anger" is a phrase repeatedly used to describe God in the Old Testament in relationship to his people. God longs to be gracious and bless his people. He extends the time for us to have opportunities to repent and turn to him. In Jesus, God even gave us his own Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins so we could have the opportunity to come home to him. Let's hear the heart of God and respond by turning our lives and hearts to our Father in heaven, who loves us and longs for us to come home to him!

Video Commentary...

We've included Phil's ToGather video from four years ago as an added blessing to our verse today:

My Prayer...

Almighty God and Abba Father, how can I ever thank you for your love and mercy demonstrated so overwhelmingly in the sacrifice of your Son for my sin? Please forgive me for those times when I have not intentionally and wholeheartedly shown my appreciation for your grace. I deeply appreciate your graciousness toward me. Please perfect me by your Spirit just as you have forgiven and cleansed me by your grace. In Jesus' name, I thank you for being my gracious heavenly Father. Amen.

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7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Isaiah 30:18 — 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!

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.