In the earlier verses of Isaiah 55, God issued an invitation to all to come and participate in His blessings. He promised to give water, wine, and milk without price. Abundant life, joy, and spiritual sustenance are experiences everyone cannot afford not to have. Yet these are experiences everyone can afford because they are given free of charge to all. While it is offered free of charge, only those who are willing to seek the Lord can participate in the blessings.
Hence everyone regardless of race and background can partake of God’s promised blessings of life, joy, and sustenance. But the only condition required of anyone who intends to participate in the blessings will be one’s willingness to seek the Lord earnestly. One should not think that approaching God casually or nonchalantly is enough, but to seek Him earnestly, meaning coming with the intention to submit totally to Him to do His will.
Repentance is a pre-requisite when one comes seeking the Lord. In
verse 7, repentance is clearly defined for us. There must be a forsaking of one’s
wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. And then there must be a turning to the
Lord. When one comes to the Lord with that attitude and heart, a pardon will be ensured.
For the Lord who offers this is a compassionate God.
However, do notice that this offer of grace will not be forever. We
need to seek the Lord while He may be
found. Verse 6 suggests that one cannot afford to take God’s grace for granted for
there will come a time when He can no longer be found. There is such a thing as
a moment of decision. Here God is calling on us to strike while the iron is
hot. An ironsmith knows this full well. For when the heat in an iron that is heated
has dissipated, it will be impossible to bend the iron anymore. When God’s
convicting power is working, we need to seize the moment before it fizzles off.
Carpe diem! Don’t let that moment pass! Strike while the iron is hot!
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