SEEK YE THE LORD--CHARLES WOODRUFF

Have you thought about how the gospel is presented in the Old Testament, as well as the New? It would seem that God did this on purpose, to clearly illustrate the availability of the gospel. Isaiah 55 simply says “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). In our day not many believe that He is near! Most people are living like they know nothing about God. I am not a real old man. I am not 70 years old yet, but I have been a Christian since 1963, and I have seen many things change in 47 years. There was much more interest in God’s word then than there is now. Oh, I know there are still some people being saved here and there, but so many have no desire to hear God’s word. It is sad that they don’t.

Let’s look at our text with a godly desire to understand it. The prophet says “Seek ye the LORD.” Can we understand Isaiah here? He is saying you should seek the LORD. You see, Isaiah did not write only for Israel. It is plain that he was given a burden for all of us. He was given a message for the world. Remember the recent messages where I asked “What is the gospel?” In that message I pointed out that Isaiah clearly, plain as day, presented the gospel. Not only these words I have chosen here, but this entire chapter is a message wooing us to the savior. It did not matter that He had not yet been born. It did not matter, because even then, nearly 2800 years ago, the need for the redeemer was there as much as now. This was because man had already sinned, and brought God’s judgment on the entire world. God made it clear in Genesis that sin was a failure that was bringing misery and destruction on the world. When Adam and Eve sinned, it tainted us all. There was no exemption. All men were now sinners. There was no escape provided! The entire unborn human race was under judgment. Adam and Eve were forced out of the garden. We all fell with them! All of us! No exceptions! Yet, God doesn’t just give up! He says “Seek ye the Lord”.

Can we grasp that really? God has made a way to overcome sin. God has a people He is saving for His glory. This is so awesome! He could have sent the entire world to hell, but He has made a way for “whosoever will”. In John 3:16 Jesus said “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That way is the Lord; the Son of God, who gave His sinless life for we who are sinners. Just think how gracious that is! Jesus died on Calvary’s cross, not for his crimes, but ours!

      Perhaps after hearing all this you are face to face with your own sin and wickedness. Maybe you want to know “how can I obtain mercy?” Well, I have good news for you. That is what the gospel is; good news. The good news is in these words I have been pointing to-- “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” You see, it is so simple. Don’t make it complex! God has made a way for you. If you will call upon Him while He is near; if you will receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior; if you will obey the word in Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” The key to this is in the next verses “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

      For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Romans 10:10-11)

      There is that great word whosoever again. I told you God has said “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17b) This is the truth from God!

     

      Can’t you see that these promises are yours? I know our main verse is OT, but it is repeated over and over again throughout God’s word. It is for you and me. One place that tells you this is there in Romans in the NT. Our very next verse says “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” (Romans 10:12) There isn’t a difference in the salvation of the Jew, and the Gentile.The same Lord does the work on all.

There is so much more regarding salvation in this chapter of Isaiah. It is no wonder that Isaiah is called by some people the gospel of Isaiah. Note the language given in Isaiah 55:1-3 “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.”

      It reminds me so much of our Lord Jesus’ words to the woman in John 4:10 “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” In both testaments the language is similar; salvation is God’s living water for the sinner. In both testaments He tells the unsaved to hear the truth of the gospel, and become a recipient of the everlasting covenant. God’s sure mercies are still available in our day, in this 21^st century. His call is still real! His earnest provision is still real! The sacrifice has been made! All you have to do is receive it freely. Then, when you do, your life is changed. A new life begins that will continue on even after death.

      “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7) The change in your life will be not only abundant, but super-abundant. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. (2 Corinthians 5:17) It is a new life that you cannot even imagine now. All your sin is forgiven and removed. Afterward if you study the Bible, and hear the true word preached, you will become strong, and strive to be holy, and serve God gladly. I suggest you read Isaiah 55, and meditate on it for a couple of days. There is so much here for the new believer. God is so different from everything in this sin-cursed world. He even says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8)

      My friends, I have been on both sides of the line, and there is so much difference it cannot be fathomed by the mortal mind. God is faithful to those He calls. He cares for them. I can tell you that I have failed Him many times in 47 years, but He has never failed me. He is a good God! I believe if you will seek Him while He may be found, that you will find Him. If you ask His forgiveness, you will receive it, and receive eternal life and forgiveness. Please, seek Him now!

      Published by Charles Woodruff- email: oursong2000@yahoo.com