Affirmation of God: I accept the LORD's invitation.

   I, the LORD, invite you

   to come and talk it over.

   Your sins are scarlet red,

   but they will be whiter

   than snow or wool.  (Isaiah 1:18 Contemporary English Version)

The Lord has invited us to come and talk with Him. Will we accept and go and talk this out? “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD… (Isaiah 1:18 NKJ) Reason with God, really? Let’s be real, what do you think we can bring to the table in that conversation. Can you picture this conversation?

In the first 17 verses of Isaiah the people of Israel had just been reminded that they had gone so far in their sins that they didn’t even know their master any more. We can travel a loooong way in a hurry can’t we? We too can forget whose we are and begin to do some despicable things can’t we?

Some how, we can just turn away and go our own way. In a split second and before we know it we are in some places and doing some things we could not even have imagined. The people of Israel were blessed beyond comprehension yet they turned and ended up in a place where their hands were “full of blood”.

They are encouraged to clean up their act in verse 16 and just quit doing evil. We just need to clean up and quit. Just disconnect from whatever or whomever has become our master. What are some of those things that “own” you sometimes?

So the LORD says, turn back and come here and let’s reason this out. Yes, you have blood on your hands. Your sins are like scarlet but the great news is I, THE LORD, your LORD can and will make those sins whiter than snow. We have all heard this line many times over our life times. The next two verses are where the rubber meets the road.

Isaiah 1:19-20: If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

We can reason with Him and yes He loves us and is full of grace BUT we do have to do our part. Those are some big IF’s and BUT’s listed there aren’t they. We must be willing and obedient. But if we refuse, it is not pretty. We can eat of the land or be eaten. I understand LORD. Thank you for inviting me to speak with you. Thank You for Your promise to listen and clean me up. Thank You for Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help with my will and obedience.

Dear LORD, I accept your invitation to talk. I also am asking for Your help. While we are reasoning this out I confess that I have at times turned away from You and I need You LORD to help me with my will and my obedience. Help me today to turn back to You, talk with You and know that You are my LORD and my Master. I trust that You will give me the will and obedience I need. Please guide me with Your Spirit. 

Do you feel like you can sit down and reason with God?

Tom Raines /Christian Affirmations 4 Life