READY FOR THE UNREADY
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 am I, here am I," to a nation that did not call on my name. Isa. 65:1, R.S.V.
If you have taken a water safety instructor's course, you have learned that drowning people cannot always be trusted. In the desperation of what they fear will be their final moments they will sometimes attack their rescuers, shoving them underwater in their own frantic attempts to stay on top. The experienced lifeguard is careful to approach the victim in such a way as to avoid being endangered himself. He attempts the rescue in spite of apparent resistance.
Being lost can lead people to do some rather ludicrous things. In retrospect, how foolish it is for doomed sinners to ignore, even despise, the only One who can rescue them. But in the frantic thrashing of sinners about to drown in the guilt, pain, and confusion of their folly, level-headed judgment seldom rises to the top. We ignore Spirit-led friends, shut out of our memory the sweet recall of our former dedication, and avoid any spiritual meetings that might let Jesus tug at our hearts.
But a choice insight into the character of our God is that He does not take us seriously at such times. Like a lifeguard, He continues to offer His strong hand, saying, "Here I am!" For He is wise enough to understand what rebellious people do when they come face-to-face with their folly. He knows that we dodge and squirm and flee until, exhausted, we fall at His feet.
Because of His vantage point of both wisdom and compassion, He can say, "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" (Isa. 65:2, R.S.V.). He is not put off by our resistance nor offended by our rebellion.
Some might fear that such infinite patience and persistence on God's part would lead to presumption on our part. We might come to indulge His goodness and walk our ways, always counting on His rescuing hand. Yet the goodness of God, not the dread that He might walk away from us, is what leads to repentance and to lasting trust.
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 am I, here am I," to a nation that did not call on my name. Isa. 65:1, R.S.V.
If you have taken a water safety instructor's course, you have learned that drowning people cannot always be trusted. In the desperation of what they fear will be their final moments they will sometimes attack their rescuers, shoving them underwater in their own frantic attempts to stay on top. The experienced lifeguard is careful to approach the victim in such a way as to avoid being endangered himself. He attempts the rescue in spite of apparent resistance.
Being lost can lead people to do some rather ludicrous things. In retrospect, how foolish it is for doomed sinners to ignore, even despise, the only One who can rescue them. But in the frantic thrashing of sinners about to drown in the guilt, pain, and confusion of their folly, level-headed judgment seldom rises to the top. We ignore Spirit-led friends, shut out of our memory the sweet recall of our former dedication, and avoid any spiritual meetings that might let Jesus tug at our hearts.
But a choice insight into the character of our God is that He does not take us seriously at such times. Like a lifeguard, He continues to offer His strong hand, saying, "Here I am!" For He is wise enough to understand what rebellious people do when they come face-to-face with their folly. He knows that we dodge and squirm and flee until, exhausted, we fall at His feet.
Because of His vantage point of both wisdom and compassion, He can say, "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" (Isa. 65:2, R.S.V.). He is not put off by our resistance nor offended by our rebellion.
Some might fear that such infinite patience and persistence on God's part would lead to presumption on our part. We might come to indulge His goodness and walk our ways, always counting on His rescuing hand. Yet the goodness of God, not the dread that He might walk away from us, is what leads to repentance and to lasting trust.
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