And yet. . .

My thoughts are brief today. Isaiah goes on for the first half of chapter 30 about how terrible, rebellious, and devious the people are, how deserving of punishment. And then we get this verse.

Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

This is the good news. Focusing on God's love and compassion is not watering down the gospel. If anything his love and compassion is stronger and more powerful in the light of a proper understanding of our sin and brokenness. When someone is kind to someone who is kind to them first that's not news, that's Tuesday. But, when someone is kind, loving, gracious, and sacrificial in the face of rebellion, deciet, betrayal, and ridicule, that is strong, powerful love.

It is that kind of love that is lavished on us, and it is that kind of love that we are called to lavish on every single person we encounter. Those are some big shoes to fill.