"Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" By the late Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson: Isaiah 55:6-10

 November 25

​"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, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:6-10 (RSV)

​Do you remember playing games of "Hide and Seek" when young? It was a wonderful adventurous fun activity with many squeals of delight and shouts of "Gotch Ya!" whenever we uncovered someone. It is a similar situation when we seek God. We may find him in dark unexpected hidden places or even in obvious places we haven't even thought of looking in. The key to success however is perseverance in the seeking. The other key is the realization God wants to be found by us. We can seek him in his Word. Or we can seek him in the hidden corners of our life. Yet the best way is to seek God continually, persistently, and with enthusiasm knowing that a big hug and some powerful love are ours once we find him.

​Isaiah tells us in 55:6 to call on the Lord while he is near. God isn't planning to move away, but we often move far from him or sometimes even erect barriers of shame or sin between us. Don't wait until you have drifted far from God to seek him. Finding him may be far more difficult later on. Seek God now while you can, before it is too dark or too late. We can't know what God is thinking or planning. His knowledge and wisdom are far greater than ours and we would be unwise to try to fit God into our mold or try to make his plans and purposes fit into ours. Instead, we all need to find ways and places to understand God's plans and seek him wherever he can be found. Isaiah says God's ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts much higher than our thoughts. He is often found in unexpected places. Who would ever think of looking for God on a cross? Yet that is a place we still find him.

​Prayer: God, Grant perseverance to always seek you. Amen.

​Meditation For The Day: God can be found right where you are.

​Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Fall Renewal (Volume 3) Paperback – August 23, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Mary B. Johnson (Author)