I LOVE Isaiah 30! There is so much application and encouragement in this one chapter.
To begin, Judah was trying to ally itself with Egypt, what they considered to be a great world power at the time. They needed help against the big dog of Assyria, and who better to call than another big dog? Except they should have called on God. God said they "execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit" (v. 1). Ultimately, they would be ashamed they had leaned on Egypt because Egypt would turn out to be no help at all ( v. 5).
But my favorite part is the end. Verses 18-26 is a beautiful picture of what God had planned for His people. He had an amazing plan of grace all laid out - He was just waiting for His people to come back to Him and live the plan! God has a plan to bless His children even today. It does involve repentance and waiting on the Lord. It does involve LONGING for the Lord.
30:18: "Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him."
I pray the Lord is gracious to each of you today. He wants to be!
Nathan