Daily in the Word

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Isaiah 55:6-7

In giving mercy, God is more concerned with the heart of the offender rather than the offense.

Do you remember being taught Bible stories as a child? If you grew up in church, you probably heard many stories as a young person-Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Jonah and the whale, David and Goliath, and other stories that teach godly lessons. Learning how God provided for His children encourages young people to trust God. But as you age and increase in understanding, you can notice a pattern in the lives of people God used. Think of Moses, Jonah, David, Paul, and others. What ties them together?

At one time in their lives, everyone God used failed Him. Moses gave excuses when God commanded him to face Pharaoh; Jonah ran from God and fell into self-pity; David relaxed his guard and committed adultery; Paul tried to silence Christ's followers before he was converted. The sin of these people didn't keep them from service, but allowed them to experience God's grace and mercy.

Read Isaiah 55:6-7 again, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." One attribute that separates our God from other deities is the fact that God invites offenders to return to Him for forgiveness.

Remember the story of Saul, Israel's first king? God had commanded Saul to wait for Samuel before offering a sacrifice before battle, but feeling impatient, Saul offered the sacrifice himself. When confronted with his disobedience, Saul replied, "Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering" (1 Samuel 13:11-12). Saul shifted blame and failed to repent of his sin.

On the contrary, notice David's response after being confronted with his sin of adultery and murder, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13). From our perspective, offering a sacrifice early does not compare to adultery and murder, but God was more concerned with the heart of the offender rather than the offense.

Just as God offered grace to those who disobeyed Him in Bible times, He offers it to anyone who has run from Him today. Have you run away from God, choosing your own path rather than His? You may not even realize you've strayed. David assumed things were fine between him and God, yet his sin had created a barrier. Saul, who later became Paul, thought he was serving God by silencing Christians, yet his religious views were skewed. Even those who outwardly appear to be serving God can be running from Him inwardly.

Take a moment to examine your life. Open your heart to God and like David, pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). God is ready to give you mercy and forgiveness, and a chance to start over. Return to Him and experience His grace today.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 148-150 | 1 Corinthians 15:29-58