Seek the Lord while He may be found;
call upon Him while He is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:6-10
Going into September and the last 4 months of 2024, I took some time to pause and reflect over the past year. It’s been a busy year for sure for myself, my ministry, and for my family. I talk about personal stuff from time to time, but don’t necessarily go into a lot of detail. Admittedly, I try not to over-talk about myself but I know sharing what I’m going through at times may help someone else.
I feel like the transition out of summer and into fall is a good time to refocus and get a perspective for what the rest of the year looks like and what 2025 will be (yes, I’m already anticipating it). If you follow my podcast at all, we’ve been busy the last few weeks…talking about everything from persecution in the American church to questioning if revival is possible in these days to looking at this year’s presidential election. There is so much going on and as I’ve been in the weeds of it all, I’ve felt the need to run to the Lord and not lose my head in the madness around me.
I was led to the opening passage I posted (Isaiah 55:6-10) which is where today’s title also comes from. It’s a promise from God. It’s a passage I routinely come back to as it gives me perspective especially in days in which the thoughts and ways of man seem to be “godlike” (or at least put on that level). Yes we have to be careful when looking at Old Testament context and bringing those concepts into our modern day life. But I think much of this passage applies right now.
The following are points I gathered in my most recent study of this passage. As I reflect upon the God Whose ways and thoughts are higher, I am brought into a place where I, even with my lack of complete understanding, sense peace and rest. This is a passage that gives me much hope and I’m sharing this in the desire that it will fill you with hope as well. Let’s jump in.
1. Run, do not walk, to God — find Him while there is time!
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41,42
As I read these words, there was almost an urgency I felt in my spirit. We have perhaps a window of time in which the Lord will bless and shine His face upon us. Perhaps that window is simply just our lives and the days and weeks we have to live on this earth. But as simple as that sounds, we spend a good deal of time not seeking His presence, and not calling upon His name. Naturally, I fall into patterns of closeness and distance with the Lord. My year has had some twists and turns; mostly good things. But in the busyness of it all, it has been easy to forget just to “seek the Lord.”
Reading this passage and then journaling on it (which is much of the content for this blog), I realized that again, I need to slow down and rest. Before the next season of life, I need to respond to His call to sit at His feet. I need to exhibit more Mary right now and less Martha (see Luke 10). A son’s graduation from high school and entry into college, a summer full of trips and activities, a new role within my church for worship, not to mention a family with kids that are growing and changing little by little each passing day…it all means I need more rest and time with the Lord.
2. We can turn from our sinful ways and find compassion — pardon for our sin
Let him [the wicked] return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 2 Peter 3:10
I take hope that the God I serve is abundantly gracious and merciful. I also know there is a point at which judgment will come and the earth will be burned up. He will make all things new one day. As I sense the urgency mentioned in the first point, I also sense the urgency to “be right” before the Lord and not hold onto anything sinful. There is mercy available. He is compassionate and slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). I love how Isaiah plainly puts it: He will abundantly pardon.
The window we have for turning to Him is also the window we have for others to come to know Him. Again, this “window” may in fact just be the course of our lives. But that time is a breath, a vapor. We have such a short period of time and even as I plot out 2024, 2025, and beyond, I do so knowing He could return at any moment. That awareness compels me to share my faith and not to hold back what is life-saving for anyone who does not know Jesus Christ.
3. We have to trust God knows what He’s doing
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11
Coming into the fall and slowing down a bit (despite the schedule our family has), I realize that God knows what He is doing. Through the ups and downs of life and the day-to-day highs and lows, I can trust Him. He sees the longview. He knows what’s past the mountain in front of me and the mountain after that and on and on. Why? Because He has a perspective that is over it all and oversees everything. My ability to trust Him despite what I cannot see is a central aspect to my faith.
Life does not stand still. Time keeps moving. Even as we enter new seasons (literally) and as we go into new things as individuals, as families…as a nation, we are not entering uncharted waters for our God. We keep coming back to that place of rest and renewal and commit the future to Him. He knows that our minds and hearts could not adequately absorb it all if we could see the future and know every twist and turn. We’d be a complete mess! In His graciousness, He withholds from us what we do not need to see and gives us enough to keep going. He is a good Father!
I will end saying this however: despite not being able to see everything, I see God moving and active. The last year has given me great hope because even though evil abounds, the hand of God is that much greater. He is setting captives free. Those who are turning (and returning) to Him are finding His compassion. His love is being poured out. What a contrast to all the hate and violence in this world. If we seek the Lord during this time, He will be found!
Final thought: If you are coming into a season of rest, let it refuel you and equip you so you are ready to reengage coming out of it. I’m finding that after a busy 2024 and especially a fast, quick summer, I’m needing to be in a place where He just refreshes me. I sense that need to be a Mary and allow Him to speak. Perhaps you do as well. Keep in mind certain aspects of that rest are necessary and ongoing and should be part of our lives in Christ. But certain things are to prepare you for what is ahead and that you indeed need to move forward when the next season closes. May we come prepared for the move God is going to do in our day. May we be expectant for even more!
I love you guys and as always, I love walking this journey with you. If there’s anything I can pray for, please email and connect. I get messages from all over the world and it’s a joy to agree together with other brothers and sisters in prayer.
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Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17