Isaiah 43:24a You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices….
I am guilty of the charge God levels against the Israelites in this passage: not praising as I should but never failing to burden Him with my problems and always, always so unutterably human in my failings. But God’s purpose here is not to shame. You cannot have a rich, full relationship if you don’t share both joys and sorrows.
Isaiah 43:24b …But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
If all I ever do is come to God when I have problems or when I’ve screwed up, He’s become my therapist, and while therapist-patient can be an incredibly beneficial relationship, it is not close and intimate. God wants all of us. He created us and loves us deeply, warts and all. He wants a relationship with us.
Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the need for community, relationship. Help me to remember that You desire connection with me, too, not because of anything I can do for You but because my life will be richer, fuller when I allow You near. Amen.
Isaiah 43:26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.
Have a blessed day.
So often, God has to slow me down and tap me in the back of the head. I needed this devotion so much today. I need the reminders of His longing for my relationship with Him. The beginnings of school are always crazy. You think you’re caught up and doing OK, only to realize that in one day you are now behind. Everything in life really is that way if you try to run it to your way and in your own strength. I needed the reminder to hang out with Him, warts and all, for praise and petition, and just BE.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for sharing. Love you so.