Isaiah 55:6-9 Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near:… These verses (6, 7) are vitally connected. We must not overlook the fact that while salvation is offered to all, there is a time when it can be best sought; and, because of the moral barriers which maturity in sin makes, can be more easily obtained. The text teaches us — I. THAT THE LORD IS SPECIALLY NEAR TO SOME. 1. To the young. It is not mere poetry, but a literal fact, that "Heaven lies about us in our infancy." The soul then is — (1) Purer. (2) More tender. (3) Less rebellious. 2. To those who are convinced of sin and are conscious of their need of Him The distance between the soul and God is not a physical, but a moral one. God cannot come near to the soul that clings to its guilt with a culpable pertinacity. But when that pertinacity gives way to penitence He draws near and presents a pardon, and then the hand of faith has only to be stretched out to receive it. II. THAT THOSE TO WHOM THE LORD IS THUS NEAR MAY EASILY FIND HIM NOW, BUT MAY FIND HIM ONLY WITH DIFFICULTY IN AFTER YEARS, OR MAY NOT FIND HIM AT ALL. Childhood and youthhood, how soon they are succeeded by manhood, and, unless there be early and immediate reformation, by maturity in selfishness and sin 1 Convictions, deep, fervent, strong, how soon they are consumed by contact with the world, unless they are immediately turned to good account! Delay will bring — 1. More difficulty. 2. More danger. 3. Damnation! III. THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR THE OLDEST AND MOST HARDENED SINNERS WHO HAVE ALLOWED THEIR BEST TIME FOR SEEKING THE LORD TO PASS. Salvation is offered them; but there are conditions which "they will. find it difficult to comply with." 1. The casting off of evil habits. Let the wicked forsake his way." 2. The abandonment of impious iniquitous, thoughts. "And the unrighteous man his thoughts." 3. The sub'-mission and surrender of the soul to God. "And let him return unto the Lord.'" Are you prepared to comply with these conditions, hard, rigorous, only because your sins have made them so? If so, you are offered — (1) Mercy sufficient, comprehensive, to cover your sins. (2) Multiplied pardon to cancel, your multiplied transgressions and crimes.Conclusion: Do not defer your soul's safety until — (1) To-morrow. Christ may not be "near" then; may not be found though you "call." (2) Your dying hour. You may be delirious, or so surprised or so stultified by your affliction as to be "disinclined to seek." (E. D. Solomon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:WEB: Seek Yahweh while he may be found; call you on him while he is near: |
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