Today let’s look at Isaiah 30 verses 15 to 26. Today’s title is “Blessed are those who wait for the Lord”. The end of verse 18 says, “Blessed are all who wait for him!” Let’s look together at what blessings those who wait for the Lord will receive.

I. God’s amazing grace (vs. 15-18)
First let’s look at verses 15 to l8. Verse 15 says, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
In the first half of Isaiah 30 God calls Southern Judah, “obstinate children” (1) because the Israelites made plans that were not from God. They didn’t ask for God’s direction, but went “down to Egypt” (2) looking for “Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.” (2) However, the result was “shame and disgrace.” (5) It was “hardship and distress”. (6) It was accompanied by a lot of danger and risk. What they needed to do was to return to the Lord. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (15) Even if such a powerful enemy like Assyria is imminent, if you repent and are quiet, you will be saved.
However, they “would have none of it.” (15) Please look at the last half of verse 15. “It” (15) is depending upon God. They would have nothing to do with depending upon God. They tried to find a solution by their own thinking, by their own strength. They made an alliance with Egypt, and tried to depend upon Egypt’s protection. They said the following in verse 16, “No, we will flee on horses.” There are some people that even though they hear the Word of God, they flee. They flee and flee. They want to push their own thing through. What will happen to such people is written in verses 16 and 17. “Therefore, you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore you will flee! 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.”
Nothing will be left. The Lord will pursue them on an even faster horse. In the end they will be “like a banner on a hill.” (17) In a life of only fleeing, nothing is left. It doesn’t solve anything. There is only one way that things can be solved. That is by returning to the Lord. It is being quiet and depending upon Him. Then you will be saved. However to Israel who couldn’t ever seem to be quiet and fled here and there, God says something very surprising. Let’s read verse 18 together. Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”

“Yet” (18) refers to even though the Lord said, “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,” (15) they “would have none of it.” (15) “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to” (18) them. Nothing is left; they are “like a banner on a hill.” (17) God says to these measly, and lonely people that are left, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you.” (18) It was not because they were obediently obeying the Word of God. They didn’t obey, they hated it, and “would have none of it.” (15) Even though they fled here and there, “the LORD longs to be gracious to” (18) them. “Therefore, he will rise up to show” them compassion. (18) This is grace. Grace is unmerited kindness given to a person who doesn’t deserve it at all. It is a one way gift given to such a person. It is given to people who without concern ignore God’s Word, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to” (18) them. That is what our God is like.
The prodigal son that appears in the Gospel of Luke used up all the inheritance that he received from his father and in the end came to the point where he was taking care of pigs. When he was famished, he began to feel like going home. He thought of going home and becoming one of the servants of his father. He thought of saying to his father, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:29) Then “he got up and went to his father, but while he was still a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) Then he “put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” (Luke 15:22) Then he said, “Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:23, 24)
Jesus said that this father is the God in heaven that we believe in. This is the result of us selfishly leaving our home and doing whatever we want. The appearance of his son wearing smelly, shabby clothes covered with dirt, and at his wits end trying to survive was an image that the father had never had before. How foolish he was! He reaped what he sowed. However, the father who saw what his son looked like flew out of the house and went and hugged him and kissed him, and dressed him in the best robe, and welcomed him again as his son.
God is not in a high place acting like a big shot. He does not look down from above saying, if you want to be blessed come and get it. He doesn’t look at us suffering in our own sin with a cold look saying, “You reap what you sow“. When he sees our appearance, he runs to us, throws his arms around us, kisses us, and accepts us. He rises up to show compassion to the foolish who no matter how many times they are told, they commit the same sins.

Especially for us Japanese who are taught that if we do something bad we will be punished or will be cursed, it is surprising that God is like this. Therefore we can’t go obediently before God the way we are and therefore, we say, “When I become nobler, I’ll go to church.” However, God is waiting to give you grace. He is rising “up to show you compassion.” (18) If you return to the Lord, you can receive mercy at all times. God is waiting for that. Therefore, don’t be stuck on your own tiny thinking. Don’t depend on your limited abilities, but wait on the Lord. Here it says, “Blessed are all who wait for him!” (18) If you wait on God, you will be blessed.

II. The blessings of those who wait on the Lord (Vs. 19-24)
From verses 19 to 24 let’s look at what kind of blessings there are for those who wait on the Lord. First of all, verse 19 says, “People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.”
The “people of Zion” (19) and those “who live in Jerusalem” (19) refer to the same people. “You will weep no more.” (19) Is there anyone here today that is crying? Is there anyone who feels hopeless in life and is going crazy crying out? “You will weep no more.” (19) The Lord will certainly give you grace. He will hear your prayers. Your prayers will certainly be answered. This may be many years in the future. They may not be answered right way, but the Lord will certainly answer your prayers.
Please open your Bibles to I Samuel 1:10 and 11.
I Samuel 1:10, 11
Hannah’s heart was in pain. She was wailing. That was because she was unable to get pregnant. At that time a woman that was unable to bear a successor was worthless and in society too was looked down upon. It was thought that they didn’t deserve to live. Her husband’s other wife “kept provoking her in order to irritate her.” (I Samuel 1:6) Under such circumstances “in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD.” (I Samuel 1:10) Then she vowed to the Lord, “If you will only look upon your servant’s misery… and…give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (I Samuel 1:11) Children that were dedicated like this did not have their hair cut. This is called a Nazarite Vow. Long hair was a symbol of dedication to the service of the Lord and was one of the characteristics of the Nazirite vow, which was normally taken for a limited time rather than for life.

“As she kept on praying to the LORD” (I Samuel 1:12) Eli, the high priest, saw her and thought that she was drunk. However, when he realized that was not the case and that she was “deeply troubled” (I Samuel 1:15) and pouring out her “soul to the LORD”, (I Samuel 1:15) he said to her, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” (I Samuel 1:17) Hannah had the assurance that her prayer would be answered and “her face was no longer downcast.” (I Samuel 1:18) She was changed. She had hope and assurance. The child that she was given was Samuel. He was the greatest prophet in Israel’s history. The Lord waited a long time to answer her prayer. That was because she didn’t just pray because she wanted a son. She didn’t just pray a small prayer for a successor. It was because she prayed for a child that would be a blessing for all of Israel. This is what God really wanted to give her.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.” (I John 5:14, 15)
This is our confidence: “if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (I John 5:14) God will do more than we ever thought of. God has a wonderful plan for your life and will give you grace. “You will weep no more.” (19)
On the wall of the Rehabilitation Center of New York is a prayer written by an unknown confederate soldier.
Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier, aka The Creed for the Disabled
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
He got nothing that he asked for, but he received everything he hoped for; all his unspoken prayers were answered. When he realized that, he was able to confess, “I am, among all men, most richly blessed.” The Lord will give you grace and will answer you. “You will weep no more.” (19)
That’s not all. Please look at verses 20 and 21. “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (20,21)
Here it is promising that that even if you are poor materially, and in reality are in a condition of being not free, the Lord will bless you. This is the blessing of being able to listen only to the voice of God. To be able to listen to the Word of God is the greatest blessing of the Christian faith. The greatest blessing of the Christian faith is not a splendid church building. It is not showy activities. The greatest grace of the Christian faith is listening to the Word of God and living by that Word. When we live by the Word of God, our soul is full. Without that no matter how much we are blessed materially, we feel emptiness. Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) We live by the Word of God. If we wait upon the Lord, God will let us hear his own voice.
“Your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.” (20) “Teachers” (20) are plural so it is thought these are probably prophets. This also refers to the Lord, who will instruct them. That’s because the prophets teach the Word of God. The teacher is God. God is the trinity: the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears hear” God’s “voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”(21) How blessed is a life walked by listening to the Lord’s voice! The life of a person who listens to the Lord’s voice and follows it can’t go wrong. I too have many times stood at the crossroad of life, but at those times while praying and calling out to God, I sought the road I should take. Each time the Lord said, “This is the way; walk it in,” (21) and led me. How thankful I am!
It is said that this is like a shepherd leading sheep. In other words, it is the story of the shepherd. The Lord is the shepherd and so the sheep don’t get lost, he leads them by speaking to them from just behind their backs. David confesses about this Shepherd, the Lord, “The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.
Even though I walk
Through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord will lead you. The Lord will talk to you. Therefore, you have nothing to fear. He will lead you to green pastures, and beside quiet waters.
Therefore, verse 22 says, “Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, ‘Away with you!’”
“Your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold;” (22) are idols. When you meet Jesus Christ, all the things that you depended upon will seem like garbage. They won’t be necessary any more. The things that you thought you couldn’t live without maybe things like alcohol, drugs, money, car, brand items, etc. It may be people that you depended upon. They will all be like garbage. You won’t need them any more so you will say to them, “Away with you!” (22)
Paul was elite by his family, education and as a religion person, but he said, “I consider them rubbish.” (Philippians 3:8) That is because he knew Christ’s greatness. If you meet Jesus, if you experience him one time, your values will completely change so much and you will be so content that what you thought had value will become like garbage. Do you know Jesus Christ? Do you know Jesus? If you know Jesus and if your heart is completely full, then you will think that everything else is like garbage. They won’t be needed at all.
That’s not all. Please look at verses 23 and 24. It says, “He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel.” (23, 24) This is mentioning the material blessings. It is wrong to say that Christianity is a psychological thing not a religion of personal profit so there are no material blessings. When we put the Lord first, “He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful.” (23) The cattle will be blessed, the oxen and donkeys will grow up well, and all the food that is needed for them will abundantly grow. God’s material blessings are also noted. Really good things, things that give nutrition, things that will give strength, things that will be a benefit, things that will bring profit will be given as blessings to those that wait upon the Lord. What blessings!

III. The ultimate healing (vs. 25,26)
However, if you look at verses 25 and 26, you will see that that is not all. Here it says, “In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.” This means the ultimate healing will take place.
“In the day of great slaughter” is in Isaiah’s age was when they were set free from the Assyrian threats. When Assyria surrounded Jerusalem, the Lord’s angel came and in one night slaughtered 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. This is pointing to that time. However, this is also a prophecy about the end of the world. At the end of the world there will be situation like this. Moreover, it will be on a much larger scale. This will be at the end of the world during the age of tribulation. In that day, to confront Christ, the armies of the entire world will assemble at Jerusalem to fight. This is called the battle of Armageddon. All the armies of the entire world will fight. However, from the Lord’s mouth will come a sword and it will slaughter them. Then it will bring in the millennium of peace upon the earth. In that day, upon all the high mountains and all the low hills, “streams of water will flow”. (25) The Lord will give the ultimate healing. The Lord will bind “up the bruises of his people and” (26) heal “the wounds he inflicted.” (26) Of course there will be bodily healing, but not only that, those hearts that were hurt by rebelling against God will be fully healed and comforted.
Please look at Rev. 21:4.
Rev. 21:4
This is the New Jerusalem, Heaven. In heaven God himself is with them. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 21:4 Christ rose from the dead and destroyed death. Those who believe in Christ will live, even though they die. Those who live and believe in Christ will never die. They will be given eternal life. This is the ultimate healing. In that day, the Lord will bind up the bruises of all those who believe and heal their wounds.
There will be no sun and no moon. That is because God, the Lord, shines. “They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun.” (Rev. 22:5) The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, Then in the middle of the city there will be the tree of life. The leaves of the tree will heal them. Isaiah is prophesying about this.

I want you to know that those who wait upon the Lord will be given such blessings. Therefore, please wait for the Lord. The Lord is waiting to give you grace. He is rising “up to show you compassion.” (18) “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (15) Believe in God’s promise, and depend upon the Lord. If so, then you will receive blessings. “You will weep no more.” (19) The Lord will certainly give you grace, answer you, and ”whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (21) While listening to the Lord’s voice, let’s walk. That is the experience of thinking, of considering all the things of the world as “rubbish”. (Phil. 3:8) It is that great of grace. And at the end is heaven. There we will receive complete healing. Such wonderful blessings are offered to us. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (15) Please experience this salvation. This is promised to all who wait on the Lord.