God's Response to Isaiah's Plea

“I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.  I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.  I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.  All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.  But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.”  Isaiah 65:1-2

This is stunning.  The God of the universe was ready and willing to respond to Israel, but no one called on Him, no one was looking for Him.  He knew they were rebellious, but He still kept His arms open to them all day long.  Israel chose to go their own way and make their own plans apart from God.  Isn’t this true of America today?  God’s people are going through the motions—we show up at church, we serve on committees, read the Bible and pray when it suits us—but are we really getting in touch with God? Do we consult with Him about how we live our everyday lives? In the book of Revelation, Jesus has this message for the church at Sardis: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.  But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

Do we really think that “going through the motions” is enough to satisfy God?  Is that why Jesus died on the cross?  Is He the guiding force in our life or just an afterthought?  Jesus says there will be a price to pay if we do not wake up!