Devotional Guide for Lent 2019

Thursday, March 7, 2019
The Seekers: God and Man

“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 mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6

A close look at this passage reveals God’s longing to respond as soon as we turn, giving him an opportunity to “have mercy and abundantly pardon.” Isaiah foreshadows the New Testament prodigal son. While he was a long way off, his father saw him and went running to forgive and pardon his long lost son.

The son thought that he was the seeker, hesitantly coming back to his father. To his surprise his father had been looking for him all along! I hear that longing in the verse above, that great desire of God to freely forgive and pardon.

Easter reminds us that the forgiveness is there for us to receive, but Isaiah cautions us not to assume that the door will always be open!

Have we so taken God for granted that we just assume that he will always be available? When it is convenient or we need him, do we just “summons” him, and expect immediate response? That is not what I hear in Isaiah’s words! His plea is so fervent for us to make an about face, change our ways, and begin to live a different life, while there is still time!

Prayer: Father, thank you for your outstretched arms waiting to welcome us into your presence, forgiven. Thank you for Jesus, the absolutely perfect provision for our return to you. Amen.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
Lenten Devotional Guide
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, Spring 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Director