Isaiah 65:1-3, 8-9
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.
I said, “Here I am, here I am,”
to a nation that was not called by my name.
I spread out my hands all the day
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices;
a people who provoke me
to my face continually,
sacrificing in gardens
and making offerings on bricks;
Thus says the LORD:
“As the new wine is found in the cluster,
and they say, ‘Do not destroy it,
for there is a blessing in it,’
so I will do for my servants’ sake,
and not destroy them all.
I will bring forth offspring from Jacob,
and from Judah possessors of my mountains;
my chosen shall possess it,
and my servants shall dwell there.
I think about the day-to-day challenges of being a mother, and the frustrations that occur when I am trying to train my children a certain way, or obtain a certain result, and they completely go in the opposite direction.
Sometimes it’s frustrating, sometimes it’s angering, sometimes it makes me want to just give in. But then I read verses like these – how God is there for us, yet we reject him. How he leads and guides us, yet we refuse to follow his wisdom by the decisions we make. How he “spreads out his hands all day to a rebellious people”, and while we deserve judgement and wrath, he instead poured out love, kindness and mercy, forgiveness and faithfulness. If he has given this to me, how much more should I extend it to my children, as an example of the love and grace of God?
Lord, help me to extend grace to my children – not to react to their disobedience, foolishness and childishness – but to respond in the love that you have shown me, that their hearts may be turned to love and obey you.
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