Never too far!

"The LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians; and the Egyptians will know the LORD on that day, and will worship with sacrifice and burnt offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them."

(Isaiah 19:21)

Is anyone too far gone to be welcomed, accepted, touched & redeemed by God? It's a question that people have pondered for centuries (maybe millennium). Who's the worst person you can think of (now or throughout history)? or maybe you've thought to yourself, one time or another, "I'm too messed up. There's no way God would want anything to do with me."

I present a case study from Isaiah 19...

The people of Israel have had a history of conflict with their surrounding neighbors. Egypt, of course, would have been their largest neighbor to the south. According to the New Oxford Annotated Bible, the Egyptians played an important role in attempting to foment revolt against the Assyrians by Israel, Judah, and other small states in the region. Such moves would help Egypt be defended from Assyrian invasion through the Sinai peninsula, and enable them to extend their own influence into western Asia.

The prophet Isaiah lets Egypt know that God is aware of their actions, and will be holding them accountable. In chapter 19, verses 1-17, their "repercussions" are laid out plain as day.

But then something amazing (and very Biblical) happens. God gives them a ray of hope. God will not punish them forever. Isaiah speaks of a time when the Egyptians will turn things around and come to know Him. AND... God will hear their cries and deliver them. God will send a Savior to redeem and set them free.

I love that. We all have to face the consequences of our actions with each other. The choices we make (with our thoughts, words, deed, bodies, etc.) impact more than just ourselves. But there is nothing we can do to separate ourselves from God's love, forgiveness, and grace. NOTHING.

There is hope (and new life!) for everyone. Even me. Even you.

Thanks be to God. AMEN.