READING: Isaiah 64-66
You know, God’s love really is amazing. It’s merciful. It’s gracious. It’s everlasting. It’s life-giving.
Prayer, too, is amazing. It’s unbelievable, actually.
Consider God’s love based on today’s readings. While He planned to bring His people salvation, He also stood ready to exact judgment on those who had rejected Him. In particular, He was prepared to judge a people who had ignored Him: “I will destine you for the sword, all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me” (Isa 65:12). He had “held out [His] hands” and said “Here am I, here am I” (Isa 65:1-2), but the people remained an obstinate people.
He spoke through His prophets. He spoke through His Word. He spoke because He wanted people to listen. The Creator of the world communicated with them. He warned them of the consequences of their sin. Still, they did not listen. They ignored the words of the One who made them. Lest they forget that truth, Isaiah even repeated the words in Isaiah 66:4: “For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened.” Judgment was sure to follow.
Then, compare what God said about His response to His people in the new heavens and the new earth: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isa 65:24). That’s really quite different. There, our hearts will be so in tune with His, our will so governed by His leading, our words so under the influence of the Spirit that the God who hears us will answer our prayers before we ever get them fully prayed. That’s amazing.
In fact, all of us who are followers of Jesus were once among those who didn’t listen to God, who rejected His outstretched hand to us. We ignored His calling to us until the day He miraculously saved us, and He then made us His children. The One whose voice we once ignored so loves us that He fixed our communication problem. His Son’s death restored our relationship with our Creator — and now, He listens to us. He knows our words before we ever speak them. That’s unbelievable.
ACTION STEPS:
- Sing “Amazing Grace” throughout the day. Speak to God even as you sing to Him.
- If prayer has been difficult for you, turn to Him at least once today. He’s ready to listen.
PRAYER: “God, I’m amazed that You’re listening to me now. Forgive me for ignoring Your words at times.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 1-3