Isa. 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, says the LORD, Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

Vs  9 this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD;

Vs 12 . . . Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them,

Vs 18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.

Blows me away. That is not what I would expect after the “therefore.” But He is gracious and merciful. He waits for us. Thank You LORD for all the times you’ve waited for me. Help me to stay in the blessed place of waiting on You.

Jer. 30:11 . . . But I will correct you in justice and will not let you go altogether unpunished.

Vs 12 . . . Your affliction is incurable, your wound is severe, says the LORD,

Leaving God and choosing sin wounds us and takes us captive so that we cannot heal ourselves. We are hopeless and helpless.  We can’t fix ourselves. But it’s not too much for God and His amazing grace.

Vs 16 Therefore . . . vs 17 I will restore health to you and heal your wounds, says the LORD.

In verses 18-20 He promises full restoration!

Hosea 2:5-6 . . . For she said, I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water . . .

Therefore, behold I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in, so that she cannot find her paths.

This is another surprising therefore of Scripture. Although she was determined to meet her wants and needs her way, God would protect her from herself. It probably felt like desperation, but it was grace and mercy.

Vs 13-14 . . . She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry, and went after her lovers; but Me she forgot, says the LORD.

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. . . . the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as in the day of her youth

Another surprising therefore. She forgot God and He speaks comfort and gives her hope.

We have a God of amazing grace and power who wants to be known by us and loved by us. He makes Himself real to us. John 14:21

Be faithful in the Word so that you can know Him better and love Him more. Ask for an undivided heart.

He will keep surprising us!!!