Isaiah 54-65
Have you ever bent down and opened your arms, expecting the embrace of a child running toward you, only to have them veer away and jump into the arms of someone behind you who also has arms stretched out to receive them?
That's the picture I get when I read 65:1-2. It's a picture of God, saying to a rebellious people, "Here I am! Here I am!" Arms outstretched to receive them, coming up empty. How many times can God be rejected before He responds?
I will not keep silent, but I will repay. (verse 6a)
God's not talking only about people who have never known Him. He's talking about His children. Earlier, God inspired Isaiah to tell us what He thinks about His children's religious activities.
In chapter 58 He talks about false fasting. They go through the motions in order to feel good about themselves. They think God owes them something because they fast. But even in their fasting, their hearts are unrepentant, and God's not having it!
When I read Scripture I see our God who is not willing that anyone die without Him. I see our God who goes to great lengths to draw everyone to Himself. I see His anger toward sin, and His desire to save us from the devastating consequences of our sin.
I see God stretch out His arms on that cross and say, "Here I am! Here I am!" knowing that whoever calls on His name will be saved.
It's not about religious activity. You can go to church and be as disobedient and lost as an atheist. It's about surrender. It's about humility and repentance.
In these chapters I read today in the book of Isaiah, there is also a picture of what God intends for those of us who don't veer away, but who jump into His saving arms and experience His grace and mercy. It's what He wants for all of us.
I hope you'll take time to read these chapters and hear God say to you, "Here I am! Here I am!" Whether you've never repented, or if you call yourself a Christian yet hold onto sin, run into the open arms of your Savior and let Him do what He died to do.
Right now, God is bending down and opening His arms to you. Arms open wide! Run! Jump! You won't be sorry.
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