July 9

Isaiah 18, 19, 20, 30, 31

Judah is prospering under Hezekiah's leadership. But Isaiah is warning that it'll be short lived else they stay on track. The same thing that happened to Israel is in their future.

The part of today's reading that really stood out to me was Isaiah 30:15-18:

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.

You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.'
Therefore you will flee!
You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.'
Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

A thousand will flee
at the threat of one;
at the threat of five
you will all flee away,
till you are left
like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
like a banner on a hill."

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!

After all the God's people have put Him through, He still desires to show them love and compassion! His capacity to show us love and mercy never ceases to amaze me. It's encouraging to know that we can never go beyond His reach.