Introduction

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a passage from the book of Isaiah, one that speaks to the very heart of our walk with Jesus. It's about God's favour in times of trouble, His promise of comfort and restoration, and His blessing of divine guidance. These are themes that resonate deeply, especially in these uncertain and challenging times.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart." Isn't that a powerful reminder of God's unfailing love and wisdom?

Let's read the scripture passage together, Isaiah 30:18-22:

"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.

For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more.

He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction,

yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”

when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images.

You will scatter them as unclean things.

You will say to them, “Be gone!”"

God's Favour in Times of Trouble

In the midst of our trials and tribulations, it is often difficult to perceive God's favour. Yet, the scripture passage from Isaiah 30:18-22 assures us that God's favour is not absent in times of trouble, but rather, it is most profoundly present. The first verse, "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you," is a powerful testament to God's enduring love and favour towards us, even in our darkest hours.

Favour definition: The Hebrew word for favour, 'hen', connotes grace, kindness, and acceptance. It is a divine attribute that God bestows upon His people, not because we have earned it, but because of His boundless love and mercy. This favour is not a guarantee of a trouble-free life, but rather, it is the assurance of God's presence, guidance, and sustenance in the midst of our troubles.

Not a passive concept: It is not a mere comforting thought to hold onto when we are in distress. Rather, it is an active, dynamic force that propels us forward, enabling us to navigate through our trials with courage, resilience, and hope. It is God's favour that gives us the strength to endure, the wisdom to understand, and the faith to trust in His divine plan, even when our circumstances seem bleak and insurmountable.

Manifests itself in various ways: For some, it may be the sudden provision of resources in times of need. For others, it may be the unexpected help from a stranger, the comforting words from a friend, or the inner peace that surpasses all understanding. Yet, for all, God's favour is the assurance of His unfailing love, His unwavering presence, and His unchanging promises.

A transformative force: It not only sustains us in our trials but also shapes us through them. It moulds our character, refines our faith, and deepens our dependence on God. Through the furnace of affliction, we are transformed into vessels of honour, fit for the Master's use.

A testament to His divine justice: As the scripture says, "For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." God's justice is not merely punitive; it is also restorative. He brings good out of evil, hope out of despair, and life out of death. His favour is His divine response to our human predicament, a testament to His commitment to restore, redeem, and renew all things in His time and in His way.

Not a magic wand that instantly removes our troubles: Rather, it is the divine assurance that in the midst of our troubles, we are not alone, we are not forgotten, and we are not defeated. It is the divine promise that though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil, for God is with us, His rod and His staff, they comfort us.

The Promise of Comfort and Restoration

The promise of comfort and restoration is not just a soothing balm for our present pain, but it also carries the assurance of a future restoration that God has planned for us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO