Isaiah 48:17-18 This is what the LORD says–
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

It is interesting what trouble we have believing that God only commands what is best for us. However, any parent has experienced the same thing with their children, so it should come as no surprise. The difference is that we do what we think is best for our children, but we are highly imperfect, whereas God is the definition of perfection. (Hebrews 12:10) It is interesting to note one difference between the English and Japanese translations here. Whereas the English says “peace… like a river,” the Japanese says “happiness/blessedness… like a river.” With what little I know of Hebrew, I’m sure the word in question is shalom. It does carry all of those meanings in context, and we miss out if we limit it to “peace.” For example, many young people are more interested in excitement than in peace! God is speaking through Isaiah here to people who are in pretty dire straits, who are far from being in a “river of delight.” It is important to note that God is not saying “If you had obeyed my commands perfectly,” He is saying “If you had just listened/paid attention to my commands.” We often don’t get quiet enough to really hear what God is saying, and we misinterpret it into something entirely different. God is indeed a God of absolute holiness, who calls us to be holy as He is holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16) However, He is is also a God of love and mercy, so much so that He sent His Son to die as the penalty for our sins. If we mishear the call to holiness, then we will see God as a merciless tyrant and will seek to get away from Him. However, if we mishear the message of grace, then we will see Him as an indulgent Santa, and will fail to repent of the sins that destroy us. It is when we trust that God really desires the very best for us that we listen obediently, and then indeed walk in that very best.

This is a message I’ve known for a long time, but haven’t always walked in myself. As a pastor, it’s certainly a message I seek to get across to the believers. The depth of misunderstanding of the Gospel is amazing at times. We recently found out about a woman who is interested in becoming a Christian, but is afraid she doesn’t have enough money for the “entry fee!” That’s a misconception we will delight to remove! However, that lady has one thing right: God does ask everything of us. Whether we think that is much or little is beside the point; there are problems when we hold anything back from God. He doesn’t tell us to give everything to some church, or particularly to some preacher, but He does tell us to release ownership of everything we have to Him, since He gave it to us in the first place. That is where real trust comes in. When we do that, trusting Him to desire and provide the very best for us, then we discover limitless peace and blessing, not to mention provision.

Father, thank You for the awesome day of ministry yesterday. Thank You for each person You brought here, and for speaking through us to them. I pray that each one would really hear what You said, and open their hearts to receive Your comfort, Your strength, Your encouragement, Your salvation. May everyone in this church indeed pay attention to You, so that we may all walk in the best that You have for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!