Almost 2700 years ago, the Lord asked a man named Isaiah to deliver a message to the nation of Israel. At the time, Israel was in deep trouble. After all the Lord had done to bless them in the past, the people rebelled against Him. They no longer lived by His instructions. In many ways they chose not to even think about Him.
The nation, suffering from spiritual illness, was gripped by unrestrained crime and corruption. Spiritually sick people followed the directives of their sin-sick hearts and fell deeper into the chaos. At the point of national despair, the Lord sent Isaiah to deliver an invitation to the nation. “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV). Something unexplainable happened!
A Holy God caringly reached out to a people overtaken by disobedience and invited them to reason with Him. Does it make sense a Holy God would be interested in reasoning with people who turned against Him? Does it make sense that a perfectly Holy God would invite His enemies to dialog with Him? Well, whether or not it makes sense to us, that’s what happened.
Skip forward in time 2700 years. How would you describe moral conditions today? Is there evidence of crime and violence? Do you see evidence of political and corporate corruption? When you survey the world around you, do you see evidence of moral and spiritual decline? The evidence is undeniable, and we feel it every day. What happened in Israel 270 years ago is evident in the world today.
I am amazed that a Holy God continues to hold out His invitation today. The God who created the heavens and the earth extends His invitation to come and reason together. The God who created everything that exists rules over all. This Creator God invites you and me to reason with Him.
It has been my experience that most people are thrilled to be in the company of famous people. Most people would be excited to be in the presence of a president, a famous actor or actress, or a world-class athlete. I am surprised more people don’t show interest in being in the Lord’s presence. He stands ready to talk with you about the benefits He offers. I understand He offers a retirement plan that is out of this world. If you haven’t had a conversation with Jesus yet, here’s your invitation.