Seeming

“For day after day they seek me out; 

they seem eager to know my ways, 

as if they were a nation that does what is right 

and has not forsaken the commands of its God. 

They ask me for just decisions 

and seem eager for God to come near them”.                         Isa.58.2

God speaks to the prophet, urging him to declare the people’s rebellion (v1). As is shown in the verse quoted, He points out their hypocrisy. They seem eager to know His ways, but are they really? They act like a nation that does what is right by Him, but it appears that they have forsaken His commands. Despite all this, they seem to feel entitled to seek His presence with them. They attempt to tell God that they are acting rightly for Him. They are not, and He tells them so!

On the days when they should be attentive to, and practicing His ways for them, they seem more interested and focused on “doing their own thing.”

We cannot pretend to follow God. If we embrace Him as Saviour, Almighty and Lord, then we need to give ourselves wholly to Him. He has entered into covenant relationship with us. He willingly gives of Himself to us yet, if we do not fulfil our side of the covenant, how can we expect Him to provide for us?

We must try to live as He would have us live. I say “try” for I know we will not achieve the fullness of our God-given being on this earth due to the fallen state we are born into. This is alright as we give ourselves to live, as best we can.

We cannot perfect ourselves, but Jesus can. He came in purity. He remained pure for the whole of His human life. He died impure, for He carried the sins of us all on the cross. This is not the end! He rose triumphant from the grave having defeated sin and death. He now sits and reigns in glorious righteous victory, ready to receive each genuine believer.

Wonderful Lord Jesus,

Help me to live to please You. I bow before You in humble adoration. I want to be all I can be in You. I seek Your help and guidance. Thank You.     Amen.