Isaiah 65:1-3 " 1 “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’
2 All day long I have held out my hands
to an obstinate people,
who walk in ways not good,
pursuing their own imaginations—
3 a people who continually provoke me
to my very face,
offering sacrifices in gardens
and burning incense on altars of brick
[and verses continue to describe their wickedness]"
It was some time ago that I had the privilege of feeling Gods s, I had sadness for those who did not know him. At a christian retreat I had grown much closer to God in a short space of time. In worship that evening, I was overcome by the thought that so few other Christians interacted with God on the deep level that I had been given, and that so many many other people did not even know God. God gave me a taste of his anguish for his people, the people that he created to know him on the deepest levels, levels we cannot even fathom, who day by day exchange the glory of God for things of this world and things made by man. (Romans 1:23)
A great host of people, all closer to Gods heart than any man or woman has been to their lover, so deep that it is beyond understanding, wandering about in the dark, stumbling again and again, chasing after the wind. It is a terrible thing, for God wants all people to be saved. (Ephesians 3:18-19, Proverbs 4:19, 1 Timothy 2:4)
Now, in addition to God loving us and being grieved about our waywardness, he is also pained when he does not receive our love. Do not think that God almighty is so weak that he will not risk becoming attached to his people and feeling pain. Or do we too often think that Gods strength and qualities do not include his emotional character? When "The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time [except Noah]. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain." Think about that!
A thought just occurred to me. Take it as heresy or no. Perhaps Gods choice to let Jesus die on the cross was not just an act of a loving will, to undergo incredible pain for the salvation of his people, who he has chose to love. Perhaps two thing: first, he may have been in enough pain at mans wickedness that saving us would alleviate it (keep in mind that he planned to save us since he created the world and still LOVES us) because, well, if he didn't no one would be able to love him in the end. Second, the joy of gaining our love may have offset the pain of the cross. Perhaps that will give you a small idea of the pain God undergoes when we reject him. Basically like crucifixion.
God, through Jesus, holds out his hands to you. "Come, be saved and fall into my arms!"
