Isaiah 55:8-13 – Why seek the Lord?

God had invited the people to seek Him and to experience His pardon and blessings. Impossible as the acceptance by God might seem for a people in deep bondage and despairing, these verses suggest that there is nothing impossible with God. Here reasons are given why seeking the Lord is the best course of action in life.   

Firstly, seekers should consider the fact that God’s ways and thoughts far outweigh man’s, for they are far higher than man’s thoughts and ways. Man is finite and how can he fully fathom and comprehend the infinite thoughts and ways of God? For emphasis to show that there is simply no comparison, Isaiah illustrated it with the vast gulf between heaven and earth. That is how widely differing are man’s thoughts and ways to God’s. Here we get a picture of how impossible it is for man to fathom the ways of God with their minds. Hence to use man’s ways and thoughts to evaluate and explain God’s plan is foolhardy. Spiritual truths according to Paul are spiritually discerned. The wonderful news is that God has now revealed them to us thr0ugh His Spirit for those (us) who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Secondly, Isaiah said seekers should consider the ability of God’s words to fulfill His intended purpose. Just as the earth is kept moist by the rain and snow to enable the cultivation of crops on earth, so also will God’s words tenderize seekers’ hearts, so that His purpose and intention could be fulfilled in them who come to Him in humility.   

Thirdly, the prophet suggests that seekers should consider the impact of responding to God’s invitation. Two things will happen. They shall experience joy and be led forth in peace. They will experience freedom and liberty as God’s redeemed. Here we see a picture of great contentment. No more will they be plagued with memories of their sorrowful past. And what they experience will be a testimony of the compassion of the Lord.  

So let us return to the call of Isaiah 55:6. We must “Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.” And as we do so, we leave behind our past, return to the Lord and embrace His ever-ready forgiveness. Let’s come with hearts like vessels to His ever-flowing stream and experience the joy, peace, and liberty of a freely forgiven life. Praise and thank the Lord!