Are You Reasoning With God?

Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. Isaiah 1:18a 

What an odd thing for the Lord to say. His people had been anything but reasonable. The life of God’s Old Testament people was far from desirable, far from honoring the God of free and faithful grace. Their hands had become soaked with blood as they hated and oppressed one another. Justice had given way to greed. Widows were deprived of the welfare that should have been shown to them. The fatherless were left to fend for themselves. And, worst yet, repentance never crossed their minds. 

Instead of mercy and repentance, their lives had become lives of going through the motions of a facade of faith. God spoke of His displeasure with His people and of the futility of their continuing to bring the blood of bulls and rams and goats to His altar. Their incense rose as a fetid stench to His nostrils. God speaks of their honoring of Him with this surface show as an abomination with worthless offerings. His people had become a burden to Him. They would soon taste His wrath through the invasions of the Assyrians and Babylonians. 

So why does He say to these recalcitrant people, “Let us reason together”? God calls His people to come reason with Him because though He is a God of justice and vengeance, He primarily wants His creation to know Him as a God of mercy. He is the God of free and faithful grace. He has offered forgiveness to His people. He longs for them to return to Him in repentance and faith. 

But having lived lives of selfish indulgence and vengeful self-service, what would ever compel these people to leave their rebellious ways? The Lord makes it evident that they need to repent. They need to return to His will and His ways in their lives. But how can corrupt hearts return to the Holy God? They can only return through the way the Lord provides. Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they are as red as crimson, they will be like wool. If they are to return, if they are to repent, it is only through the gospel message that they will find the compelling to do so. The Lord calls to them saying, “I have provided the way for you. For what reason would you remain in your sinful ways?” 

Dear brothers and sisters, loved by the Lord and redeemed by His blood, God calls on us to reason with Him today. Why would we want to remain in our sin when we are covered by His grace, when the atoning blood of Christ blots out every sin we have ever committed? Truly, there is no reasonable reason for us to do so. So come, let us repent. Let us hear our Master call to us in mercy and grace. And let us serve Him in peace and harmony. Blessings, 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal Teacher 

Coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School: 

❖ As our calls for a new principal and ECM director continue, please pray that God would send us the right called workers at the right time and that He would grant us wisdom in

our calling and patience in our waiting. Also, please pray for the Kamps a prayer of thanksgiving that God has called them to peaceful decisions. 

❖ On Tuesday, November 21, we will have a student assembly to construct centerpieces for our community Thanksgiving meal. 

❖ Tuesday, November 21, will also be an early release day for our students. Bus service will be provided in the morning and afternoon as this is also an early release day for the public schools. 

❖ Our Thanksgiving break will be November 22, 23, and 24.