Avoiding Detours and Dead-Ends
He went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him. (Isaiah 57:17, 18)
Isa. 57:14-21; Matt. 24:12; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 11:24-26; Gal. 4:9; Rev. 2:4
What Is God Saying?
In the earlier verses of this chapter of Isaiah, there is a reference to what happens when people turn from God to follow the paths of disobedience and sin, "You have made a bargain for yourself with them" (Vs. 8). Your birthright of freedom, your dignity as a believer, and your riches as an heir of salvation have all gone for a bargain price. God cannot watch this tragic waste occur without letting it be known that He still cares. He wants us to regain the stature, peace, and riches that belong to those who walk with Him in the paths of righteousness. Therefore, although the bargain-sale soul is destined with the wicked to become "like a tossing sea (that) cannot rest and whose waters toss up mire and dirt" (vs. 20) and "for whom there is no peace" (vs. 21), nevertheless God, in His infinite patience and longsuffering love, has seen the places where we have made the wrong turn and chosen the wrong way, and He will heal us.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Undoubtedly, all of us have sold ourselves for a bargain at some time, but we cannot backslide out of the Kingdom. Those who are once saved may fall, as it were, on the deck of an ocean liner and even sustain serious injury, but that is not the same as falling over the side. Whatever position we hold, we cannot come to prayer without honestly confessing that all our ways have not always been pleasing to God. Once confessed, healing begins, and the door to effective prayer swings open.
Pray With Me
Lord, this fits me.
The way of my own heart leads to a dead end, through detours of vanity and frustration, to discouragement and death. Yet, Lord, in Your love and knowledge, You have seen my ways. The most jealously guarded secret in the darkest chamber of my heart is known to You. So I don't need to pretend anymore. I don't need to justify myself. You know the way of my own heart. You are not willing that I should perish in that way.
Thanks be to God, who knows me best and loves me. Thanks be to God that, beyond the release that comes from knowing I am known, there is the peace of knowing I may be healed.
In the name of Him who is the true and living way. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
The curse of backsliding is emptiness, frustration, and hindered prayers. The cure is knowing that God still cares and will heal those genuinely sorry for their sins. Power in prayer returns and continues to be ours when we know that God, having seen our ways, wants to heal us. In love, God sees our ways and heals them. In prayer, we see His ways and choose them above all others. His ways are health, peace, fulfillment, joy, and answered prayer.
