The Outstretched Hand

 

“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me;
I was 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 have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts;” – Isaiah 65:1-2

The Prophet Isaiah is delivering a message from God in Isaiah 65 regarding those that were searching for something they needed, and didn’t realize that it was God.  He speaks God’s words saying that they were looking for Him, but didn’t know to ask for Him, and they found Him even when they weren’t seeking Him.  It was God that reached out to them – saying “Here I am! Here I am!”.

These people are described as seeking something to help them, but living in rebellion to God’s word, and living life according to their own ways and their own thoughts. 

Today our society is filled with those that fall into this category.  We need something, but we don’t realize that it is God.  We seek to just feel better about ourselves, to feel peace and love.  We go searching for it through drugs and alcohol, and only find ourselves addicted to those things that hurt us even more.  We search for it in relationships through meaningless sexual encounters, and they leave us broken and often the shreds of a broken home and broken children in the ruins. 

Yet, He still reaches out His hands.  He still cries out “Here I am! Here I am!”

Each day is a chance to begin again.  You can repair what’s broken and find the love, peace and joy that is missing.  The first step is to realize that the path you are on is not where it’s at.  The second step is to reach out to His outstretched hand.