“A PEOPLE SOUGHT OUT”
MERRY MONDAY BY PARRIS BAILEY-
“And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” Isaiah 62:12
I spent last week studying the Song of Solomon and then taught it for 10 hours, like I told the class, it’s a great book to keep in your back pocket. I like to pair Song of Solomon with Ephesians and the Gospel of John. There is something special about these books, something holy. Last week while studying I decided to check on Youtube to see if I could get some good preaching quips on SOS. To my surprise the majority of the preachers (who were male I might add) were using the SOS as a class to teach love making to married couples. They all seemed to be bragging about all the sexual expletives that the book has toward love making. I was furious! Yes, I totally believe that SOS is an analogy between the Bride of Christ and Christ in a ongoing love relationship with each other. But let me move on. LOL!
In Isaiah we are called a people “Sought out” or, one found that was lost. The idea is that the church and the people of God would be the object of His kind, protecting care and would enjoy His continued presence. We would be desirable, sought out, and held in high esteem by the nations.
Barnes say; “His work is before him, he perfectly knows what is to be done; and is perfectly able to do it. He will do what God should do, and what man cannot do; and men should be workers with him. Let no man fear that the promise shall not be fulfilled on account of its difficulty, its greatness, the hinderances in the way, or the unworthiness of the person to whom it is made. It is God’ s work; he is able to do it, and as willing as he is able.”
I believe that even though we live most of our lives in the gutter, He seeks us out and visits us by “mysterious interventions” and gracious acts of mercy. He seeks those who are lost on a daily basis. He comes to make “all things new” in our lives. To many of us it’s just too hard to believe and we keep running away from Him, not able to forgive ourselves. This is a huge step over at the Marysong Restoration Center for the girls to receive His love and forgiveness.
“Walk out of the gates. Get going! Get the road ready for the people. Build the highway. Get at it! Clear the debris, hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples! Yes! God has broadcast to all the world: “Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes, Ready to do what he said he’d do, prepared to complete what he promised.'” Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed, Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.” (Message Translation)