01 29 08 How Long?


“Seek the LORD while he makes himself available;
call to him while he is nearby!
The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle and sinful people their plans.
They should return to the LORD, and he will show mercy to them,
and to their God, for he will freely forgive them.
“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans,
and my deeds are not like your deeds…”
(Isaiah 55:6-8 NET)

Isaiah is known as the Paul of the Old Testament, his name meaning Yahweh is salvation. Is it any coincidence that he wrote 66 books, 39 relating to Old Testament (sin and judgment) and 27 loosely corresponding to the New Testament (consolation, hope, and salvation). He ministered to kings and noblemen for nearly 60 years and warned them of foolish actions and not trusting in the God to direct them and deliver them. Tradition has it that the prophet was cut in two during the reign of King Manasseh because of his unpopular message!

Yet his message still rings loud and clear today. Even though we have the testimony of Scripture (both New and Old Testaments) we still choose to move by our own counsel rather than the direction of God. We make unholy alliances and relationships in business and in our personal lives, despite knowing God disapproves. We even ask God to bless our mess, rather than choosing to bless God with our decisions and plans in the first place. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Yes, today we need to seek God while there is still time (Psalm 32:6). If we know Him, we need to follow Him more closely. God is free to give mercy to a truly repentant heart. (Psalm 51:17) God’s ways are not like ours. His plans look far into eternity! At times we can’t even see past our own nose!

“Make the hearts of these people calloused;
make their ears deaf and their eyes blind!
Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
their hearts might understand and they might repent and be healed.”
I replied, “How long, sovereign master?”
(Isaiah 6:10-11)

Isaiah wondered aloud HOW LONG he would have to tell the people; after all, they weren’t listening! I wonder too, HOW LONG will God put up with us? We aren’t listening too much better today! Oh, but God is so patient that all will come to repentance and none are lost. We’re closer today than ever to His return. HOW LONG will we wait… HOW LONG do we have?