God of Second Chances

• Isaiah 48:18 (GWT)
• Isaiah 48:19 (GWT)

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Scripture

Isaiah 48:18-19

If only you had listened to my commands! Your peace would be like a river that never runs dry. Your righteousness would be like waves on the sea.
Your descendants would be like sand. Your children would be like its grains. Their names would not be cut off or wiped out in my presence.

Observation

The Lord had chosen Israel to be His people. He had given them the law through Moses, a blueprint for living in relationship with God and with each other that set them apart as an example to the nations.

If only the people had lived by His commands. They would have enjoyed peace, righteousness and abundance, long lasting relationship with the Lord. Instead, they found themselves captive in Babylon, from where the Lord is now preparing to rescue his people.

Application

When I find myself in difficult circumstances, when things don't work out as I might expect, it is easy to ask "Why?" of God. It might be better to consider whether I had listened to His instruction, His direction.

Living by God's principles, in the centre of His will, promises peace like a river that never runs dry, peace beyond human understanding. It promises righteousness rolling over me like waves in the sea.

Perhaps most encouraging is knowing that the Lord doesn't leave me captive. He doesn't waste my mistakes, using them to refine me, to make me a better me. By His grace, He rescues me, sets me free, gives me a second chance.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your patience with me, for loving me as I am but loving me too much to leave me there. Help me each day to hear your leading, to apply your teaching and live by your strength. Then may I savour your peace in and relish your righteousness over me.

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