A Challenged Response to a Simple Invitation
We had a nice day today and it was actually nice not having anything on my schedule. I did have a massage appointment that I almost forgot, but other than that it was a good day to get caught up on some office work and do some follow up from the last few days. I have not been as consistent with my fitness center exercise, but I am getting a lot of “functional” exercise with my schedule lately. I have been using more and more my “Canadian” crutches to get around. I do return for an evaluation next week to Northern Colorado Rehab. Hospital.
(Since I mention my dog below here is picture of the innocent looking pet, with my 4-H bear from the Capitol.)
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life!” Isaiah 55:3
We have noticed our little dog has problem. When we let him outside and call him to “come” he just ignores or worse looks at us and then intentionally ignores us. As Debbie was reading through his training journal, she saw that it mentioned that he had a problem with responding to the command of “come.” He is more inclined to come to us on his terms and time schedule.
As I considered my dog, I was reminded of some of the words of Isaiah and how much we respond the same way to God. That may sound somewhat demeaning, but look at what the Psalmist said in Psalm 32:9 “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.“ That sounds pretty much the same.
We can stand in awe of the simple invitation the Lord extends to people in desperate need of life and help. This well known chapter of Isaiah begins with the invitation,
The Lord says, “Come, everyone who is thirsty– here is water! Come, you that have no money—buy grain and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk—it will cost you nothing! Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why spend your wages and still be hungry? Listen to me and do what I say, and you will enjoy the best food of all.” (Isaiah 55:1,2)
But for many reasons and some puzzling reasons, it seems that people over the ages have struggled and stumbled over that simple invitation. How does God “feel” about this? We get a glimpse from Jesus words as he views the city of Jerusalem, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matt. 25:37)
Even this “City of David” that was to be the place of God’s presence, that had so mistreated those who represented the Lord, He still invited them to come to Him, to return to Him. Some are not willing because they fail to see their need. Some may be unwilling because they feel unworthy. Some are unwilling because they want to “maintain” control of their life. Some are unwilling because of misunderstanding or fear.
But none of that matters to God. He has no “prequalifications” for coming to him. You may have to be prequalified to borrow money or get a line of credit. But there is no prequalification to have your debt to the Lord removed!
We can come to the Lord “just as we are” at all times. We can come to receive forgiveness, strength, encouragement, comfort, wisdom, direction, healing….whatever you need. When you hear God’s voice, regardless of the source He uses, be quick to respond. You can’t go wrong.