“Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” vs6-7

God has given us a commandment of what we must do. If we are smart, and taught by God, then we shall do it.

First, all of God’s children shall be taught by God. Each one of us shall receive counsel from the Lord. Isa 54:13, “Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their prosperity.”

We will bow our necks, and we will yield. We know that salvation in Christ is the MOST IMPORTANT thing in the world. We value our souls more than life itself, and sin is an enemy that must be destroyed and overcome; it’s an unbearable evil and no laughing matter. Therefore, we need Jesus Christ and the redemption that He accomplished. We need Him on His terms. Arguing has been taken out of our mouth.

Secondly, obedience is God’s command. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,”

There is no compassion without obedience attached to it. Many want comfort, but they want their sin too. They want the Lord and their evil at the same time, but it cannot be.

We must forsake our own way and our own thoughts. We must take salvation by grace unto godliness, with faith in the middle, as the active way that we receive God’s blessing. Rom 5:17, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” We must trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as a Savior and a Lord. We must receive all of Him.

Repentance is the way into the kingdom: it is turning from self and sin to the Lord Jesus for washing and obedience; it is living a new life by faith [2 Cor 7:10-11].

Thirdly, the comfort will be real! “ That he may have compassion on him.” The Lord will have compassion on us, because He is pitiful and full of mercy. He is tenderhearted to the obedient who turn His way. “Let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,” He holds no grudge! He runs to greet us, like the Prodigal’s father. Draw near to God, and He’ll draw near to you [James 4:8].

You don’t have to make up for what you’ve done. You cannot. Live a holy life now, walking in love.

Fourthly, God will give us power to live a new life. He knows that we are sinners, and He hasn’t made religion unbearable! 1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” It is false to say that Satan is better than God, as if he gives us more pleasure… as if God asks us to be holy, and then laughs while we have no strength… as if the temptations are stronger than the Helper.

I’m convinced that many would live the new life, if they saw how sweet it is, but they cannot, because they are confused, blind, and deceived: their eyes are not open. Let this word open your eyes: The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to you, along with a new heart and a new mind. He will cause us to keep His commandments, and He will be pitiful to us when we disobey!

Fifthly, this covenant promise is because of Jesus Christ. Isa 55:3, “The sure mercies of David.” He is the reason that God pardons sin, and He’s why He gives more grace. Look to Jesus. Salvation is in Him; it is not in ourselves, our efforts, or our feelings; it is not in comparing ourselves to others; it is God-given faith that beholds Jesus in His sufficiency and goodness; it is faith in Christ. The law will not help you, nor will Christless sermons; it is infatuation with Christ that we need. 1 Tim 1:11, “According to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”

Call upon Him through Jesus Christ, confessing your sins. Turn away from them, and He will receive you. Run back into His arms, and forsake your evil way. Be done with sin, poor sinner, and you’ll be received.