An invitation from a reasonable God

Xanthe Galanis

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.”  Isaiah 1:18

The more I read the Bible and study God’s Word, the more I find that the Lord is constantly calling and inviting mankind to come to him, despite our hypocrisy and disobedience! And of all the wonderful things that God is, he is reasonable.

If the first part of Isaiah 1 sounded like a prosecutor stating his case, this part sounds more like a lawyer negotiating an out-of-court settlement. This is not a call to trial or a call to judgment. It’s a call to Israel to open their hearts and listen. God is calling a meeting with Israel, not to establish guilt, but to arrange pardon. He isn’t asking for compensation or for retribution for their past, he’s simply asking them to obey.

God desires to reason with his people. More than that, God desires to restore his people and to give them the best. He does not simply command Israel or demand that they obey him, he leaves the decision with them. And today, he leaves the same decision with you.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your forgiveness and grace, even though I don’t deserve it. Thank You for reasoning with me, forgiving me and restoring me. Amen