God can save. God can hear cries for help.
But there is a place for God not listening and hiding Himself. It’s when we’re choosing sin over Him.
What do you want? What is your choice?
In Isaiah 59 we read about God coming. He is coming to everyone. It will mean wrath to most and redemption to some.
What’s your choice?
Redemption is for those who turn from their sin.
What is your choice? Your sin or His life? Whose life do you want to live?
Do you love your sin? Are there things of this world that you don’t want to give up? It could be a little thing. Are you willing to give up your coffee for Jesus? What has a hold on you?
I read the autobiography of Charles Finney, a 19th century revivalist. He preached a gospel of total consecration, a total surrender of your life. That’s what Scripture says, right? “I no longer live…”
When he led people to Christ, they knew they had to give it all up. I remember this one woman struggled for days before she gave her life over to Christ. Her struggle was over her “hair ornaments.” She knew she had to give them up.
This isn’t about a list of dos and don’ts. It’s about not holding onto your life, leaving it behind dead in the water, and rising to new life in Christ.
We put everything up on the altar and ask Him to set the fire. Things will either get burned up and taken away or consecrated, made set apart for His purposes. You may have a hobby that you have to give up, or He may redirect it for use for His kingdom. The giving up may be required first before He brings it back for another purpose. But you need to give it up not knowing what His plan is.
Are you willing to give up your life? Are you willing to give up your temporary little pleasures for the fullness of pleasure in Christ?