When We Forget To Seek The Lord - Pastor David Tsai

I was ready to be sought out by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that did not call on my name. (Isaiah 65:1, NRSV)
 
Isaiah 65 begins with a tragic thought. God stood ready to help Israel, but they didn’t bother to call upon God. God was ready to be found by those God had chosen, but they were not looking for God. In fact, as the rest of this chapter reveals, they were seeking other gods and indulging in the religious practices of pagan nations.
As I read this sad comment made by the Lord, I have to wonder how many times what was once true of Israel is also true of me. How many times has God been ready to help me, while I failed to turn to God? More than I realize, I’m sure. Now I haven’t engaged in pagan rites, mind you. But when I’ve been in a jam, I have often turned to something other than the Lord for help. Most of all, I tend to rely on myself: my cleverness, my intuition, my logic, my worry, and my hard work. God is ready to help me, but I seem to like putting myself through the emotional wringer for a while before I’m prepared to seek God’s help. How sad! And how foolish!
I wonder how our lives would be different if we truly believed that God is there for us, ready to help if we only ask. The promise Jesus once made to His first disciples is made to us also: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Of course, the human person of Jesus is not physically with us. But Jesus is with us now and always will be through the indwelling Spirit of God.
I wonder: if we truly believed that God was with us through the Spirit, what difference might this make in our lives? How would we feel? How would we act? What might we be emboldened to do for God’s purposes and glory? How might God use us in ways we can’t even imagine?
Reflection
Have there been times in your life when God was ready to help you, but you failed to ask? When? Why didn’t you turn to God?
Are you facing challenges today for which you need God’s help, but haven’t asked? Are you willing to ask now?
Prayer
Gracious Lord Jesus, I wonder how often You look upon me with wistfulness, realizing how I have failed to turn to You when You are so ready to help me. Forgive me for my self-reliance and my foolishness.
By Your Spirit, teach me to live each day trusting in You. When I face a challenge or trial, may my instinct be to turn to You. Help me to look for You in every aspect of my life, whether I’m working, playing, resting, or praying.
Teach me to live in deeper and more consistent fellowship with You, so that I might serve You more effectively in the world, and so that I might live life to the fullest.
All praise be to You, gracious God, because You are always there to help me. Amen.