The Truth about Our Response to God

There's the idea many people have in their minds about how we relate to God. Then there's the truth as revealed in scripture. 

In our minds, we think we are pretty good toward God. We haven't killed anyone. We are "good people" in our opinion. Then we consider that we deserve better in life for our performance. Why haven't we been given what others have? Why doesn't God show up more often? 

But scripture shows a far worse reality. We are wholly rebellious in spite of God's consistent search to bring us home.

Isaiah 65:1–5 (ESV) I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices; 3 a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks; 4 who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig’s flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels; 5 who say, “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.

It's not a pretty picture that Isaiah paints in this text. God seeks and Israel runs. The harshest critic of the nation of Israel is God Himself. He knows they are a microcosm of the human race. Bent on their own instincts and pleasure. 

Yet, once again, Isaiah reveals that God will still spare many and bring them salvation. With poetic imagery, they could understand God gives them a picture of grace. 

Isaiah 65:8 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants’ sake, and not destroy them all.

Then God says, 

Isaiah 65:9–10 (ESV) I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there. 10 Sharon shall become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me.

God will turn the pain of Israel's past into a pasture. The Valley of Achor was where Achan sinned in the devoted things during the conquest of Jericho. Now that place will be made well for God's servants. 

Isaiah stipulates however, that God will differentiate between those who seek Him and those who do not. 
Isaiah 65:13–14 (ESV) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; 14 behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit.

The truth is God seeks us and most reject Him still. But those who do will be blessed beyond measure. Their pain will turn out for their gain. Their sorrow will become joy. 

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