The Lord Forgives

ISAIAH   CHAPTER 55

God's message analogy is to provide nourishment to all who are thirsty and he asks the people to come and drink and eat and he will provide food that is good for the soul. All he asks is that the people come with their ears wide open and that they listen carefully because their souls are at stake.

Then God reminds the people of his covenant with them and his promise to David that their country would be a leader among nations and it is God Almighty who made the country glorious. He tells the people to "seek him" and "call on" him while he is near. He asks that they turn to the Lord so he may have mercy upon them and pardon them.

God tells the people of the strength of his powers and how high the heavens are beyond their imagination. He tells how he provides rain to water the earth and in return the grains grow so the people can have bread. His word is also sent out and produces fruit and will prosper everywhere he sends it. He states that the people can live in joy and peace and the mountains and hills will burst into song; the trees will grow where once only thorns grew. These miracles will honor the Lord's name and be an everlasting sign of his power and love.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The Israelites were promised no threat from pagan nations and no wars. But though the Israelites did not fulfill its part of the covenant with God to stay away from idols, God was ready to renew his covenant again.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Even in our modern times, God offers nourishment to feed our souls. Things haven't changed all that much in many centuries, has it? We still would starve without his help.
It is imperative to remember that God doesn't leave us - never, nada, no way! He asks you to not drift away from him or sin so much that you have a difficult time turning to him for help. This day and always, God is a forgiving God.
Just as the people in ancient times tried to mold God to their ideal, we try to do the same thing in our times. Don't you feel yourself doing this from time to time? I do. But God is far wiser than us. We must fit his plan, not the other way around. Our very souls are at stake as much today as in ancient times.
Pray to God for guidance. Turn to him before he comes to judge the earth.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:



HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.


Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.


Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.


Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.


Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.


Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.


Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.


Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.


Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.


SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary


RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John


LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian


SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.