Ready and Waiting
Today I had my appointment with Dr. Blatt, a neurosurgeon. He reviewed my medical history and did an exam before reading the MRI results. Debbie and I appreciated the fact that he did not push any particular treatment, but left the decision up to us. It seemed obvious from his explanation that surgery was the best option to relieve the pressure off my nerve. I am confident from what others have shared that this can be a key to my continued recovery. He is working on scheduling surgery in about two weeks. Thank you for your continued prayers.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The Lord says, “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 NLT
There are words of an old hymn that says, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”
There is nothing sadder than missed opportunities or ignoring help and a better life than one is experiencing. We see that the Lord stands ready to respond to those who call out to Him, especially those who know Him and feel distant from Him.
Earlier in Isaiah, we read “Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” (Isaiah 55:6,7 NLT)
I recall Jesus’ words when He told His disciples, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NIV)
The invitation is clear, the Lord’s response is clearly assured. The Lord stands more ready to forgive and respond than we are to ask and to seek. The failure of God’s people to respond to Him creates a heartache and sense of regret for the Lord who loves us and cares for us and desires the best for us.
Consider these words, “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:18 NIV)
As Jesus prepared to ride into Jerusalem he paused and wept, “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.” (Luke 13:34 NIV)
It is incumbent upon us to keep our focus on the Lord. We can become so easily distracted by the cares of the world, the priorities of the world and soon seem that the Lord is distant and removed. However, the Lord stands ready to respond, when we are ready to call on Him.
When a parent holds out their arms to their child, they anticipate a willing and eager response from their children. We need to understand that the Lord is holding out His arms to us. Let’s be quick to respond confident in His love, seeking Him and being found by Him.