Seek the Lord

Anthem for Sunday, 10/14/2012

Text: Isaiah 55:6-7

Music: John Carter (No, not the one who visited Barsoom)

MSCL#0172

Composer’s Biography: 

John Carter and Mary Kay Beall are not only husband and wife, but they collaborate on a full-time basis on musical works of all kinds. They have been writing as a team since 1978 and have created several hundred pieces of music together. John Carter is recognized as one of the most productive and skillful writers in choral composition today. Before he and Mary Kay began their collaboration, he had nearly 200 published works to his credit.

Together, John and Mary Kay have over 30 years experience writing and directing music for choirs of all types and of all ages: elementary, junior high, high school, college and church. Many of their works are commissioned by various groups across the country to be performed for commemorative occasions. As a team, the Carters have produced a dozen musicals and a sacred opera in addition to their many choral works. They have been widely performed, and their music exhibits a broad versatility in writing styles.

The Carters have been involved in church music as soloists, Directors of Music and Sacred Choral Editors. Presently, John is Director of Music at the University Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio and serves as Editor Emeritus at Hope Publishing.

John and Mary Kay are members of ASCAP and the American Choral Directors Association. They have received ASCAP awards annually since 1984 for their ongoing contributions to choral literature. (http://www.alfred.com/Company/Authors/JohnCarter.aspx)

An Offer Ya Canna Refuse

The message of Isaiah 55 is about being restored into a right relationship with God.  It opens with the assumption of hunger and thirst for the things of God, a characteristic our society currently ignores being satisfied temporarily by the many diversions our western culture provides us.  Verses 1-4 call for us to come and receive the free things of God, His water, food, wine and milk that cannot be purchased, rather than spend our hard earned funds on the things that do not satisfy.

His message, primarily to Israel who is facing imminent judgment from God, includes a promise and an encouragement that one day Israel will summon nations they do not even know of unto themselves.  This is a prophetic picture of the gentiles being grafted into the promises of Israel as the church. (vs.3-5)

Then, in our key passage the promise to the wicked and the evil that God can be found “while he is near”.  This serves as a reminder to us that repentance is not on our time table or merely at our convenience.  The opportunity for this repentance and restoration must be grabbed, “while He is near.”  The repentance should be characterized by not only a surrendering of how one thinks, but also how he acts.  We must “forsake (our) way” as well as “(our) thoughts”.  Christ said his sheep hear his voice and respond.  Here in Isaiah the sheep are encouraged to “return to the Lord that He may have mercy on (them)… for He will abundantly pardon”.  Who can resist this offer?  Quit spending your money to be happy.  Come get free pardon and restoration from God and you won’t need the diversions that our technology, fads, clothing, cars, and entertainment provide. (vs. 6-7)

Having made an offer you can’t refuse, the message of Isaiah goes on to explain why the God of heaven would make such an offer.  This fact is a mystery that confounds all people, but perhaps our age more than any.  Why would the Holy God of heaven who is creator, judge, jury and executioner and hates and despises sin offer pardon?  He offers these things to us because; He is so different from us. (vs8-9)

How secure can we be of this incredible offer?  If it is too good to be true, then it probably is, right?  But we have an illustration given in vs. 10-11 that God’s word is as secure and definite as the water cycle.  The agrarian world knows that the rains and snows come.  The waters provide nourishment for the seeds and plants, thus sustaining life and nourishment.  Then and only then does the water return and do it all over again.  God’s Word is even more dependable than that.  As the going forth of the rains and snows give life, so the going forth of God’s Word gives life.

Lastly, a celebration is in order.  Vs. 12-13 picture a celebration of man and nature together worshiping God.  When man gets right with God, the blessings of God are poured out on the world around him.  As the creation fell with man and is corrupted, so it is blessed when man is in a right relationship with God.