Today's Message: RUN TO GOD'S OUTSTRETCHED ARMS NOW

Praise the Lord!!

"All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, ..." (Isaiah 65:2)

This is a beautiful verse that denotes the longing of God’s heart. The Lord says that He is spreading His hands. What does that mean? The outstretched hands are hands of mercy, hands of compassion and hands of pity. God's hands are gracious hands, waiting hands, ready hands, longing to welcome the returning sinner! A day consists of morning, noon and night - all twenty-four hours. Spreading out the hands all the day denotes that the Lord is persistent in showing His love to the sinner. This represents God's ceaseless and unfailing readiness to welcome and save. To what kind of people is God showing such grace and love? - To an obstinate people! They were rebellious against God, against His laws, His love and His holiness. Ever since the Old Testament days, the Lord's patience is continually tested because of the stubbornness of people. In Numbers 14:11, the Lord asked Moses, "How long will these people treat me with contempt?” In Psalm 4:2, the Lord asked with pain, "How long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?” What leads to rebellion? The world, the flesh and Satan. One does not have to show blatant hostility towards God by preaching anti-God theory in order to be rebellious. One can totally ignore God, totally discard Him out of one's life in order to be rebellious. Time given to business, pleasure, hobbies and other interests are perfectly legitimate. However, when they occupy the majority of our time and exclude us to even think about God then it leads to rebellion. We begin to ignore God's blessings, His grace and all the privileges we have received from Him.

Dear friends, let us be cautioned. We live in the period of grace. But a day will come when we have to face God's judgement. Before that let us repent and return to God.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, your hands are spread all day long inviting me to come to you. But instead of running to you for comfort, sometimes I run towards the world to satisfy my passions. Forgive me Lord, I feel sorry for my rebelliousness. Forgive me and accept me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.