Isaiah 43; II Corinthians 3:17-18 - "Ever Be"

As I reflect back on yesterday's sermon I once again feel so blessed to be where I am in relationship with the Lord. When Mike shared yesterday that many Christians do not live a surrendered life, I once again was saddened. This is what the Lord has had on my heart for several months. My heart breaks to see people living with one foot in the world and the another with the Lord. The freedom found in surrender is unlike anything else we can do. 

The Lord took me back to Isaiah 43 this morning, specifically verses 22-24...

22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,
    nor honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with grain offerings
    nor wearied you with demands for incense.
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,
    or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.

These are words from the Lord. Even after all He had done for them they still were not following Him. Even though these words were written many years ago they are still applicable to today. He never gives up on us but when we surrender to Him life is so much better. When He is the One to be at the wheel and us in the passenger seat, life is different. We no longer have to worry about the 'what ifs' but instead can focus on doing His will. John Wesley writes about these verses:

"Verse 22

[22] But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

Weary — Thou hast not esteemed my service to be a privilege, but a burden and bondage.

Verse 23

[23] Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

Honoured — Either thou didst neglect sacrificing to me; or didst perform it merely out of custom or didst dishonour me, and pollute thy sacrifices by thy wicked life.

Verse 24

[24] Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

Nor filled me — Thou hast not multiplied thy thank-offerings and free-will offerings, tho' I have given thee sufficient occasion to do so.

But — Thou hast made me to bear the load and burden of thy sins."

Once again it saddens me to think of believers who are still living in a life not fully surrendered to the Lord. I cannot begin to imagine how the Lord hurts over it.  I personally do not want to burden or weary the Lord over my actions. Instead I want Him to be proud of me. The desire of my heart is to do His will and to live a life of freedom as described in II Corinthians 3. I am so grateful for the day I pushed through the veil and totally surrendered to His will and His way. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the freedom of living a life of surrender to You. Thank You for knowing You are in control. Thank You for yesterday when we had the opportunity to worship with Ben and his family. Thank You to waking me up to "Ever Be" again this morning. Thank You for relieving my Momma's pain somewhat yesterday. Thank You for loving me and for never giving up on me. I am so blessed that You are a God of Second Chances. Lord, today is a new day with a new class starting along with playing catch-up with everything that needs done from being on vacation. I will not get crabby or stressed because You are in me and will flow from me. Lord, direct my mind...direct my steps...direct my entire day so that I do Your will. Father, bless my day in abundance as I bless You. Thank You for being My God of Second Chances. Amen.