"I have seen his ways, but I will heal him." These words from Isaiah 57:18 come at the tail end of a long litany of failure, rebellion, and depravity that lay at Israel's feet. If anyone deserved the judgment of God upon them, it was this nation at this time in her history. God was not unaware of Israel's sins; but he was determined to rescue the people he loved.
For anyone who has ever believed that they were beyond redemption, that they were too far gone, without hope, these ten words are life. God sees. Nothing is hidden from his gaze, not the secret sins we have successfully hidden from all eyes, not even the failures we have managed to hide from ourselves. He sees it all, but instead of judgment, God chooses to heal. If ever there were a promise worth holding onto with a vengeance, this is it. It can be hard to believe when one is in the midst of failure, but this promise is our only hope. We have a choice to believe the accusations of the devil or God's promise. The one will lead to despair, the other to relief and hope. I am grateful tonight for this word from Isaiah that offers encouragement for the people of God who have almost lost hope. God has seen our ways, but he will heal us.
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