Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55
I'll be honest, for a long time repentance seemed to have a negative connotation with me; like being sent to the principal's office, or pulling my car over for those flashing blue lights behind me. But I've recently learned that it's not like that at all, in fact, just the opposite. Repentance is freeing and powerful!
If you have ever changed your mind about something, then you understand the basis of repentance, for repentance implies a change in direction; a 180-degree turn in our relation with God, and it begins with an invitation:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! ...Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live." Isaiah 55:1-3
Do You Hear the Sense of Longing?
Can you hear the pleading heart of a Father? Definitely not that of a policeman or principal. It is the heart of a Father who is longing for us to come before it's too late. The promise of real satisfaction in life is only for those who can look beyond the attractive offers of the world, to the promise of something much better!
But Also a Sense of Urgency?
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7)
As I read this I also thought of other verses that seem to speak about that same sense of urgency:
As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." (Hebrews 3:15)
"For He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION " (2 Corinthians 6:2) Paul is quoting from Isaiah 49:8 here.
The Book of Revelation warns us that there will be a time when it will be too late to repent,
“… The time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still." (Rev 22:10-11)
And a Sense of Blessing
Some think we must "clean up our act" before we attempt to approach a Holy God, but that isn't what He requires at all! He simply calls us to come; filthy rags and all and lay them all down at His feet. Jesus has already paid the penalty for each and every sin we've committed. They were all nailed to the cross with Him, which makes us free to turn to Him, admit when we've failed and seek His help to go on together.
It seems like we're getting off pretty easy I know, but...
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:11
Blessings!
sue
Blessings!
sue