Good Morning!☀️
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Isaiah 30:18
God pleaded with his people repeatedly to heed his warnings and repent of their sins. They stubbornly refused to do so. They sought out prophets who would tell them what they wanted to hear instead of the truth. God did not want to punish them, but they left him no choice.
In his mercy and grace, God did not cast them away completely. He still wanted to be gracious to his people. He let them know that once the punishment was over, he would restore them.
God takes no pleasure in punishing us. He desires to do us good. When we turn from our wicked ways to follow his word, he will gladly receive us!