ISAIAH 57
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

When I choose sin over righteousness it isn’t really hard to imagine God saying, “I have seen his ways and will destroy him and abandon him, and I will never have anything more to do with him.’’

But the riches of His love and mercy and grace speak against judgement, so He heals, leads, and comforts me instead. (John 3:17)

I know that I belong to Him in Christ, and because of that, I know He will never turn from me. The only answer is for me to do the turning so I can enjoy the peace He has made for me through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:20)

So, He leads me and helps me into a kind of spiritual exile and captivity where I can understand the consequences of my sin. In that spiritual place of suffering and shame and loss I can see my error and turn back to Him. (today’s passage in context)

That’s how important I am to Him. (Colossians 1:21-22)

His healing and comfort always follow my turning back to Him because He is always there waiting. (Luke 15:11-32)

And all to His own glory, He makes me a new creation and creates in me the fruit of His Word in prayer and praise and testimony of everything He has done for me in Christ. (Ephesians 2:10,17)

• What has the world been sowing into your mind?
• What lies of the enemy have you already believed?
• Who or what have you hardened your heart to?
• Do you pray?
• What will you do with Jesus?

He’s waiting for you no matter how far you think you are from Him.