Call On Him While He Is Near

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.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

Isaiah 55:6-13

There are many reasons it is hard to get someone to trust in Jesus Christ. The first barrier, isn’t an unwillingness to believe that God exists: instead some doubt they are important enough for God’s attention. Second, some believe they are unworthy of His forgiveness. People are often their own harshest judges. Third, they wonder why God is not communicating with them if He is out there.

God does not play games with us. He promises that if we read His Word, He will make sure it accomplishes His purpose. If we read His Word, He will make sure it accomplishes His purpose. If we read it, we will discover God is communicating with us. This is why the Bible speaks so often of His grace and mercy toward all. His willingness to forgive surpasses our own. Once we learn that we can hear God in the Bible and once we see the emphasis on His mercy, it becomes easier to believe we have His attention when we cry out to Him.

God’s story is amazing. It can give hope for all of us.

Honest skepticism can be the first step to a strong faith.

Our Daily Bread – December 11, 2013