Regan, you’re the one who has always been telling me to get out of my bubble and live a little.”“ It was actually a major component of their friendship.”

And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious to 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. The way the author created the two MCs, Sutton and Charlotte, was remarkable for a first time author. She got right into the depth of them, the heart and soul without being cheesy. The nuances of their interactions, humour and amount of emotion was staggering at times. I almost felt that I was sitting with them during some of their intense moments, with my breath catching and all the feels happening. They are two strong, independent and intelligent women, and Sutton's naivete and sweet romanticism coupled with Charlotte's assertiveness, drive and experience leads us to such a power couple that I sure hope Ms. Cass has more stories for them down the line. Therefore the LORD waits [expectantly] and 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; Blessed (happy, fortunate) are all those who long for Him [since He will never fail them]. Whenever we think of how Christians “should” deal with times of uncertainty, we conjure up a picture of stoicism and simultaneous holy joy. Plus a thriving prayer life and complete trust in God.

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But those expecting YHWH pass [to] power, | They raise up the pinion as eagles, | They run and are not fatigued, | They go on and do not faint! Nevertheless, the LORD will wait so he can be gracious to you; and thus he will rise up to show you mercy. For the LORD is a God of justice. How blessed are all those who wait for him." King Hezekiah had worked hard during his reign to clear out idol worship and restore a sense of purity in Judah. But the nation was being brought down by the evil practices of many of its citizens, and by the threats other nations posed.

but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

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Isaiah has just pronounced in Chapter 39 that the Babylonians would invade Jerusalem, leading to a period of captivity for God’s people. This was a frightening prospect, especially following all the messages of judgement and condemnation Isaiah had already brought to the nations. God’s faithful needed reassurance, and He graciously shifts the tone of Isaiah’s words to encourage them. Starting in Chapter 40, poetic and prophetic words tell of the comfort, forgiveness and incredible blessings God has in store for those who love and obey Him. Well. She is very pretty," she whispered, "And, um, dedicated. Wealthy. Influential," she listed the only highlights of what she could remember from the articles she'd read, but it was a bit difficult to think when Charlotte was so close to her now that she could feel her warmth through her dress. The book of Isaiah aims its message mainly at the people of Judah and Israel, but also includes nearby nations like Egypt, Moab and Assyria. His mission is to warn them of upcoming judgement by God for their rebellious behavior. These people have been following religious practices, but their hearts have been turned away. But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Charlotte pressed her forehead against Sutton's temple. "A month ago, you said that I was just too scared. And you were right. I'm so many things, Sutton. And many of them are not quite so simple to love, I imagine. But you are." Therefore the Lord waiteth that he may have mercy on you: and therefore shall he be exalted sparing you: because the Lord is the God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Who looked miraculously not afraid, as she stroked her thumb along Sutton's jaw. "I'm in love with you, Sutton. Terrifyingly, irreversibly, life-alteringly in love with you."

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in the way of God's commandments; which shows great affection for them, haste to obey them, delight and pleasure, cheerfulness and alacrity, therein, so as to be without weariness: and they shall, walk, and not faint:

You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Zion lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” ( Isaiah 40:9).

And when their heart-melting thoughts of eachother merge with their preciously tender touches, I die. Fully and completely, a quiet, merciless death. One little thing of note to my fellow Americans: politics and politicians feature largely in this story, and it’s a bit of unfortunate timing for this release considering the current dumpster fire of a political climate in our country right now. I am referring to the juxtaposition of the world Cass builds here to that of our distinctly charged reality. From the Obama erasure (in favor of Charlotte’s fictional grandmother, the “first [white] female president of the US”) to the Trump erasure (not nearly as bad a thing IMO, but still distractingly noticeable), to the fact that the biggest issue being faced in the “Those Who Wait” political/social landscape is the continued homophobia among politicians and their constituents (rather than things like BLM movements and - oh I don’t know - A PANDEMIC) this book feels like a very out-of-touch representation of the time and place it’s meant to portray in the US. It’s enough to pull you out of the story just a little at times, or at least that is true for me. So maybe just be aware of that (if you’re like me and potentially distracted by that kind of thing) and go with it. You will not regret it. :)