I have spread out my hands all day long to a rebellious people.

Isaiah 65:1-9, “I PERMITTED Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ to a nation which did not call on My name. I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to My face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks; who sit among graves, and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots. Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ these are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day. Behold, it is written before Me, I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will even repay into their bosom, both their own iniquities and the iniquities of their fathers together,” says the LORD, because they have burned incense on the mountains, and scorned Me on the hills, therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.” Thus says the LORD, “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants in order not to destroy all of them. And I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains from Judah; even My chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there.”

The idea that God is out to get us is really true. It’s not as some envision, that like the “Far Side” cartoon He has His finger over the “SMITE” button while He watches us go through our day! He actually is pursuing us even more faithfully than we pursue a lover, for our human love is really dependent upon response and performance of the beloved. He has a different standard and He has shown us the full extent of His love in Jesus Christ.

We are in awe of You for Your love for us who are so rebellious by nature; thank You for taking away our heart of stone and giving us a heart of flesh. Thank You for sparing us from destruction.