Heads up! I acknowledge I am in a state of having been blown away by the awe-inspiring infinite capacity of God. I am so blown away I do not understand all I am about to write. So please don’t take what I will write as Bible doctrine. Rather, take this as a deep impression of a person trying to describe the ‘crazy, wonderful’ light that I have been experiencing the last couple days. Try to engage with me in my musings in this cloud of wonder.
Isaiah, a highly regarded prophet, revealed the vast scope of God’s ‘emotional’ ability. I admit up front that I am not able to hold within myself a passionate hatred for the rebellious, audacious sin in someone, while at the same time have an even stronger passion of sacrificial love for those disrespectful rebels. While God was arranging for Jews to be disciplined for their repulsive, evil hearts, He is also working towards how He would show them His incredibly deep love. This brings more depth to God’s words through Isaiah. My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the LORD. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT2). Anyone who imagines they can give wise counsel to this God does not know Jehovah, God Almighty, and thinks more highly of themselves than they ought!! (Romans 12:3)
His first words to Isaiah after responding to God’s call were Go, and say to this people: Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive. Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed (Isaiah 6:9-10, ESV). Interestingly, Jesus quoted this verse when asked why He spoke in parables. They were still rebellious, so Jesus was also doing what God told Isaiah to do.
Isaiah warned these rebellious people, speaking of Jerusalem, … I will bring disaster upon you, and there will be much weeping and sorrow. …I will be your enemy, surrounding Jerusalem and attacking its walls. I will build siege towers and destroy it (Isaiah 29:1-3, NLT2) Isaiah later said, … Who allowed Israel to be robbed and hurt? It was the LORD, against whom we sinned, for the people would not walk in his path, nor would they obey his law. Therefore, he poured out his fury on them and destroyed them in battle. They were enveloped in flames, but they still refused to understand. They were consumed by fire, but they did not learn their lesson (Isaiah 42:23-25, NLT2).
Contrast His anger with His deep love for them when He told Isaiah to tell them, when you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom… I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. Isaiah 43:2-4 (NLT2). Incredible! He goes on, do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west…north and south… Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them (Isaiah 43:5-7, NLT2). The thought of returning the former rebels leaves me stunned. What does that tell us about the awesome ability of God’s love for you and me? This is beyond my comprehension.
If I earnestly seek God with all my heart, this tells me absolutely nothing can hold back such a formidable God from fulfilling His loving purpose in and through my life. What might that say about His heartbeat for you?