Come Now

Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

“Come now.” The first part of this verse has often been one of the greatest encouragements to me in time of need. Dealing directly with the problem of sin, it loudly and unapologetically declares that God is the God of the present tense. The fact of the matter is I never have trouble believing that God is the “alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13) I can look back over my life and see God’s hand guiding and directing in ways that I didn’t really understand until He brought me safely through. I have no trouble believing that He is the beginning. I can look at creation, and know that there must be a Creator, a Beginner of all life. In much the same way, I can look toward the future, knowing that it is uncertain at best, and trust that He holds tomorrow in His hand.

But when God says, “Come ”, a certain peace settles over my heart. A peace that declares that He knows my greatest fears, feels my deepest pain, and understands my utmost longings. As if His knowledge of my state isn’t enough, He bids me come to Him. This all-encompassing verb of beckon carries with it the connotation that I am both missed and welcome. Even the sorrow of knowing that I have strayed is overcome by the joy of realizing that I can return – that my Father will welcome me home with open arms. As I travel down the dusty road of repentance, I see Him running to meet me. I am swept up into the everlasting arms of the Father, and my spirit once again begins to soar. As this takes place, I notice that the dusty road of repentance has now turned into a soft but well-worn road of forgiveness. Gladness fills my heart when I see ahead the green pastures and still waters. I know that there lies the paths of righteousness, the paths I had forsaken, but now have been restored to. (Psalm 23)

Finally, God also gives me a meeting time. He says now. Not tomorrow. Not only on Sundays. Not only “if you feel like it.” Now. Present tense. God doesn’t keep office hours because He is a “very present help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1) He’s ready today. Maybe you feel like there should be some sort of showdown before you go back to God. Maybe you’re waiting for an ultimatum. Maybe you feel like you’ve run out of chances. Why not trust His Word over your feelings?

Are you struggling with your “present tense”, right now? Do you feel uneasy, lost, or like life has spun out of control? Have you forsaken the paths of righteousness, and are struggling with admitting it? Remember, God IS the God of the present tense. Let Him be the God of your present tense.