I enjoyed a wonderful childhood!

By the Grace of God I was born into a home with Christian parents, and a godly heritage.

Today’s Text was one of the verses I learned as a lad. Sunday School, Bible School, family devotions, a Revival Meeting … I do not recall the exact catalyst for the memory work.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6

The following “Isaiah” verse is good too, though that one is not in my little memory bank. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and 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.” Isaiah 55:7

No wonder Isaiah is called the “evangelist” of the Old Testament! Both the foregoing verses present the Gospel! In an “unlimited sense,” too!

Verse 6 suggests there could come a time when God might NOT be found! Therefore be saved today! (Paul used this thought in 2 Corinthians 6:2 … “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”)

The verse also teaches us that a man (or woman) can “seek” the Lord at will. The verb is “darash,” and it means “to resort to” the Lord … or even “to require” the Lord! As when you MUST have something! Did I say “at will?” Yes … this verb is framed in the imperative mood, it being man’s supreme DUTY to so seek the Lord!

Wow!

And verse 7 is just as thrilling. Magnifying God’s Mercy! A God Who will “abundantly pardon!” Literally “greatly forgive!”

If anyone is reading the Lesson this morning and is not yet saved … ponder these two verses. Act upon them. This is God’s invitation to you! Backed by the authority of His Holy Word!

Let’s end by putting both verses together, in tandem.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and 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.”

I am so thankful to know this Almighty and Loving God!

Do you?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Isaiah again, on “how” to be saved! “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22

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