November 14: CONSIDERING YOUR OPTIONS
“Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.” Isaiah 43:26
This invitation from the heart of God echoes the earlier one in the first chapter of Isaiah: “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (1:18)
Another wording might be something like: Let’s get together and discuss this. I will help you consider your options. The construction of Isaiah 1:2-20 is as a covenant lawsuit. The One bringing the charges is the Sovereign One. It goes without saying that He is the superior covenant Partner in this arrangement. Incidentally, He is also the Judge. He is arraigning His people on charges of breaking their part of the covenant they made with Him. Because they are guilty and without excuse, their (our) only hope is in His mercy.
“Right” vs. “Left”: The enemy of souls has ‘done a number’ on the world, in that many have been wrongfully taught that God is severely judgmental and without mercy. With this thought playing over and over in the background of so many minds, it is no wonder that alcohol and illicit drugs are major props in countless lives. At the opposite end of the supposed ‘scale’ we find this same enemy planting the idea that the abundant grace of God pushes His perfect standard aside, leading His professed followers to continue in sin while claiming “we’re not under law, we’re under grace.” This popular teaching brings an unfortunate tendency toward the large category of presumptuous sins (see Psalm 19:13; 2 Peter 2:10).
When God calls a soul to come to Him, the call is urgent but gentle, one that woos the suffering soul to get relief by being forgiven (too scandalous for many to comprehend) and then, following true repentance, to be gently guided by His Holy Spirit into a way of living that leads the soul heavenward. The promise of God for the repentant sinner is really too wonderful to comprehend. Skeptics say such promises are “too good to be true” – but in actuality, they are far greater than we can imagine (See 1 Corinthians 2:9. Paul was inspired to expound upon Isaiah 64:4). Likewise, when He states the sad result of forsaking His leading, it is not a threat, as Satan would have you to believe. It is actually a mere statement of fact, for the Giver of life is also its sustainer. He has promised never to leave or forsake us, but the individual who abandons Him is free to do so. Walking away from the Life Giver equals walking toward spiritual disintegration, decay, corruption. To the suffering soul who will listen to the voice of God, He says something like: Remember Me? Of course you do! Let’s get together and talk. Tell Me all that is burdening you and allow Me to give you relief and a fresh start. Look up! I am ready to help you!
It may seem scandalous to many that God is ready to lavish forgiveness and cleansing upon all who come to Him in repentance. But know that it is far more “scandalous” to Him that souls are suffering and perishing because that is what they choose for themselves.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (see also Habakkuk 2:3)