An Invitation (3)

Seek the LORD while he may be found;

      call on him while he is near.

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.

Stunning words: no matter where we’ve been, what we’ve done, how we’ve acted, God sets it aside and makes it of no account. This core message of the Bible, “He will freely pardon” continues to inspire masses of people around the world to turn and return to God.

Ancient Israel stumbled into exile because their society shifted focus to personal wealth and they let go of their spiritual moorings; justice fell to the side. The more their eyes riveted upon the attractive affluent way of life the less they saw the underprivileged and victimized. It came crashing down with a devastating invasion and deportation of the main part of Israel’s society.

Isaiah’s words invite people to turn to the Lord. Some churches and preachers like to focus on punishment, wrath, and retribution. But God’s nature is mercy, blessing, and forgiveness. But where can we find him? At what point is he near?

As long as it is today, we can find him and he is near. A simple call for help is all it takes; he will freely pardon our life’s failures, inadequacies, hurtful acts and words, as well as our selfish pursuit of possessions, blinded to the suffering of those around us. The longer we put off seeking him, the further our hearts wander and become less receptive—until finally “tomorrow” arrives and it’s all over.