Is It Too Late to Come Back?

Mark: This one's for anyone who's been away from God so long it feels too late, like a library book overdue for years. Is there still a way back?

Sarah: Isaiah 55 invites us to return, and says God will have mercy and freely pardon. Just before, he asks why we spend our labor on things that don't satisfy. Listen to this.

Scripture: Seek Yahweh while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Mark: Okay, but some of the words in there are rough. Does he really mean there's a way back for someone like that?

Sarah: They're honest words, and I need that mercy too. But notice where the verse lands: on mercy.

Mark: So does the verse say how to begin? It says to seek him and call on him, and to forsake old ways and return.

Sarah: The verse does pair returning with leaving old ways behind. Right after, God says his thoughts and ways are higher than ours. The verse says he will freely pardon. His mercy is what it points to.

Mark: That sounds like a relief. So where does somebody even start? Just talking to him?

Sarah: Whatever's behind you, seek him and call on him while he is near. And from me, as your friend: I love you, and I'd love to hear how it goes.