I have seen what they do – but I will heal them anyway. Isaiah 57:18
The people of Israel are rebelling and Isaiah is recounting their sins. And then the unfathomable – God is still going to be at work among them. He has made a promise and will keep it - anyway. Even though they are faithless, He remains faithful. When they see and return to Him, regardless of their past deeds, He will heal them – anyway.
Isn’t that what grace is, giving something that’s undeserved? Though we are still in our sin, Christ died for us - anyway. The dictionary defines anyway as “without regard to other considerations.” It’s not because of anything we have done, but because of who He is.
I have received grace. He has healed me, begun a restoring work, despite what I have done. Now He calls me to be His hands and feet and love my neighbor like He does - anyway, regardless of other considerations. Whatever someone else has done, or is doing, love them anyway. Love them even when they bug me, even when they hurt me, even when I disagree with them. Love them. Anyway.
That’s grace, giving undeserved love, and it doesn’t make sense. It is only the Spirit that can teach me, grow it in me, and enable me to do something incomprehensible.
Lord, thank you for your unfathomable grace. This world is full of people who are broken, just like me. Help me to love them, anyway, just as You have loved me.
