by Darcia Kunkel

The Gracious Mercy of our Lord.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
    and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
    blessed are all those who wait for him.”
 Isaiah 30:18 English Standard Version

We are Cubs fans. Chicago Cubs fanatics exist all over the country and the world. There is something to be said for being the habitual underdog.  You just can’t help but root for them.

We waited…..year after year. Steadfast and loyal devotees kept the faith that someday, somehow, some way…we would win the World Series.  After 108 years of longing, young and old rejoiced at the sight of our beloved team finally taking home the crown in 2016. Many of the faithful, like my grandfather, never got the chance to witness the Cubbies earn the title in their lifetime.

This photo of my son was taken when he was very young. He only had to wait about 11 years to see the dream come to fruition.  Even he could not believe the loveable losers actually won.

It can also be difficult and soul-crushing to wait on the Lord.  We know that with prayer and petition, the Lord will bring our requests to fruition, but it is in His time and by His means. That is tough because we are not a patient people.  Neither were the Israelites.  Generations of faithful kept the hope of God’s promises until He sent His son to die on the cross.  We still cling to that hope today – proclaiming Christ crucified, and waiting for His return.

How awesome to know that our Lord waits to be gracious to us.  He longs to grant us forgiveness and justice.  We are called blessed when we wait in hope. The Lord knows our needs, desires and dreams. He invites us to call upon Him, and put our faith in His mercies.

Spring training has just begun. The boys of summer have arrived. We do not know what the season has in store, but we wait…with optimism and hope.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong,
and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”
Psalm 27:14 English Standard Version

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado