““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.” Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV
Reflection: does God seek us, or do we seek God?
My niece and her husband decided to put together an Easter egg hunt for the kids outside their house. These were 5 large eggs, filled to the brim with candy. A real “treasure”. So the kids were very excited to start this treasure hunt. They gave the kids some basic instructions, such as search only on the one side of the house, since that was where the eggs were hidden. And then the kids were let loose. Being gone for a while without much success, the kids started wondering if the eggs just weren’t there. That they had been tricked somehow. So they expanded their search, to other sides of the house, disregarding the basic instructions they were given, to the frustration of my niece’s husband. He again reiterated to them that the eggs were only placed on the one side, but of course in non-conspicuous spots. After giving them a few additional hints, like look up in the trees, look under things, etc, they finally started finding the eggs.
Today we are met with a curious verse, when we stop and think about it for a while. It might be a verse you have heard many times. We read first “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;” Isaiah 55:6 ESV. What do you think that means? Is God saying that He is not always near? Or, that He might be near for a while, a certain time period, but then gone? You could certainly read this verse and conclude many things. Some might be right, and some might not be. So, let’s stick with what we know about the Lord already, about His character, as we try to understand this verse. The first word we are met with is pretty interesting, and often forgotten. He is telling us to
Seek the Lord.
In a way, it is a bit like a treasure hunt, to seek God. Because, as we looked at yesterday, we can easily validate that all the temporal things of this world, will not fully quench our thirst. The things of this world that satisfy our flesh might feel good for a moment, but tend to leave a bigger gap than they fill. We want more. Jesus told several parables related to this search for eternal treasures, a search for God, ““The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46 ESV. Once we find this treasure that doesn’t leave a void like the world, when we really find what truth is, we know it is very valuable, and we are willing to give up all else. Then we have the second part,
While He may be found.
I can’t but help think of the kids looking for those Easter eggs, becoming impatient and therefore looking further and further away from where the actual treasures were hidden. What would have happened if they were not redirected to the right place again? They probably would have given up at some point, after an extensive search in the wrong places. And, the parallel here is so obvious. So many search for God in the wrong places, perhaps settling with something that is not truth. Something that is not living water, not God, but imitate Him. And, boy are there many “impersonators” of Christ out there! But He makes it very clear that He is the only one, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV. Then, we have come to the last part, once we have found Him, it says to
Call upon Him.
Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” Romans 10:10-13 ESV. We must call upon the Lord. And, then we are reminded of what becomes the result, the fruit of you will, for someone who has found the Lord, “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.” Isaiah 55:7 ESV. It is a changed life, away from wickedness and unrighteousness.
Are you having a hard time finding God? Perhaps you are searching for Him in the wrong places, trying to find meaning in what the world offers. Open your Bible. If it has been a while, start with the book of John. Call upon Him, and honestly seek Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Then keep reading. He is there, in the Word. And, if you have already found God, are you sharing with others, helping them to find Him too?
