Marie’s daily verse: Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21). 

DAILY DEVOTION, August 29, 2024

Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7).

These words from Isaiah are a profound call to action. They challenge us to seek the Lord, but with a crucial caveat — we cannot seek the Lord while we cling to our wicked ways, such as lying, cheating, or harboring hatred in our hearts. Only when we forsake these bad behaviors can we genuinely seek the Lord. So, as we return to the Lord, what do we find? Does He chastise us for our wicked ways? Does He punish us for our disobedience?

No, we find abundant mercy and pardon when we return to the Lord. His pardon is not hesitant. It is plentiful. We think, of course, of Jesus. He is the one who ultimately provided the plentiful pardon we need. As the magnificent Son of God, His sufferings provided more than enough for us. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sins.

These words of Isaiah should fill our hearts with gratitude toward God. He is not angry with us. His sole desire is to extend to us His boundless mercy and pardon. What does He ask of us? We seek Him, which means actively pursuing a relationship through prayer, reading His Word, living according to His teachings, and turning away from our wicked ways. This means recognizing our sins, repenting, and striving to live a righteous life. When we fulfill our part, we can trust that God will faithfully fulfill His part. Let us always remember that God’s mercy and pardon are not just words but a reality we can experience when we seek Him and turn away from our wicked ways.

Father, I am so thankful You are a God of mercy and pardon. I thank You for allowing me to repent of my sins, trust in Jesus, and find acceptance in Your eternal Kingdom. May Your name be blessed forever in Jesus’ Name, Name.