DON'T WEARY THE LORD

Years ago, while reading Isaiah chapter 43, the Lord spoke a word to me that became a significant life principle. In the first twenty-one verses, the Lord God profusely details the love, care, and protection He lavishes over His chosen people illustrating the multitude of ways He has and will save and redeem them. Read it and be blessed!... In spite of this, the Lord then laments His people were not calling upon Him, neither bringing sacrifice nor offering:

"But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; and you have been weary of Me, O Israel. You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not caused you to serve with grain offerings, nor wearied you with incense. You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices" (Is 43:22-24a).

Instead, this is what the Lord, their Creator and King announced they brought Him:

"But you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities" (v. 24b).

Notice, when the children of Israel became weary of the Lord, it led to sin, and a great wearying to Him. They no longer willingly and joyfully honored the Holy One of Israel. Yes, I thought, reflecting on myself, it's my sin and indifference that ruins everything. However, I would often come before the Lord in prayer and get overwhelmed with my shortcomings; preoccupied with my inadequacies and failures. I'd get stuck there. After I confessed the downside of my life (an endless black hole), I was too discouraged and deflated to get anywhere on the upside! Why bother, the enemy would taunt. To my surprise, in mid-thought, I heard the Lord say, "Don't weary Me with your sins – anymore, it's all you bring to me. It keeps you from delighting in Me and just sweetly loving Me. That's what serves and satisfies Me." I suddenly realized I was bringing Him the wrong offering!

The Lord continues in verses 25-26a, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance."

How awesome! In other words, we need to let the Lord do His part as our Redeemer. Notice how He emphasizes that it's His job, not mine: I, even I, am He… Quit bemoaning and rehashing the same old things He blots out and will not remember! We're to focus, set our minds upon and remember Him – that's our part. Magnify the Lord, not failures. In Jeremiah 33:3, He says, "Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know" - not the sin we know all too well!

Once born again, we receive a new nature that now no longer desires to sin, yet sadly, we still do. When we do: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). After, give our great Redeemer a worthy sacrifice of praise, love offerings from our heart, and the sweet incense of fellowship. That's what He desires – don't weary the Lord!

  - Elese