Mercy and Pardon

Memorizing God's Word makes it part of our life. It teaches us, comforts us, and keeps us from sin. Will you join me in hiding God's Word in our hearts?

In the following weeks, I hope to memorize Isaiah 55. It is a beautiful message of God's greatness and love toward us. Each week, I will recite what we have learned so far and discuss the meaning of the next verse. I'd love to have you join me in this challenge. You may "recite" in the comments or by email. If you can't say all of them, say just one at a time.

(without looking at my Bible, unless I get stuck)
Isaiah 55:1-6

1. Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; he that hath no money, come ye buy and eat; yea, buy wine and milk without money
and without price.
2. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good; let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3. Incline your ear and come unto me, hear and your soul shall live; I have made a covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4. Behold, I have given him to be a witness to the people, a leader and a commander to the people.
5. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that knowest not thee, and nations that thou knowest not shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel, for He shall glorify thee.
6. Seek ye the Lord, while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near.

CORRECTIONS: (looked 3 times, vs.2 "eat ye", vs.3 "will make an everlasting", vs.4 "him", vs. 5 "that thou knowest not", "that knew not thee" "He hath glorified thee"





NEW VERSE
Isaiah 55:7
"Let the wicked forsake his way,
and let 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."


We don't think of ourselves as WICKED, do we?

Oh, we may lose our temper or complain about the weather. We may tell a "white lie" or feel lazy on a Sunday morning. Maybe we make fun of our spouse or whine about not getting our favorite snack. We don't have to commit murder or rob a bank to sin. Most of our sins are wrong thoughts - selfish thoughts, disrespectful thoughts, angry thoughts.

Can God pretend it doesn't matter?
No...He is holy and just!

But He is also full of mercy.
"He will abundantly pardon."

We must see our sin as He sees it, all our selfish, independent, and stubborn ways. When we "forsake our ways...and thoughts", he will have mercy and pardon for us.

There is nothing so freeing than to be forgiven. The weight of our guilt is lifted. We have restored fellowship with our Father and Friend. What a wonderful God we have!