“I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My name.” (Isaiah 65:1, NKJV)

As Isaiah comes to the end of his book, his prophecies become even richer. He speaks of the inclusion of the Gentiles, the disobedience of the Jews, but also the future restoration of Israel when God will rejoice in His people. In this chapter, Isaiah speaks of the new heavens and the new earth that God will create after the Tribulation and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth. God judges sin, but He also rewards the faithful.

The LORD desires to be sought by the people He created. He stretched out His hands to His own people, but they were rebellious, walking in their own unrighteous ways (v. 2). But those who seek God find Him. He is not hard to find, for He is always saying, “Here I am,” to anyone who will listen.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20, NKJV)

Throughout his book, Isaiah has condemned hypocrisy. God seeks truth in the inner parts. He despises worship that is a sham or a coverup. If we draw near to Him with our lips, then we should also love Him with all our hearts. This we prove by our actions—by obeying His commandments and treating others rightly. God judges impartially. He chooses penitent sinners over hypocritical religious people. Tax collectors and prostitutes enter the kingdom of heaven before scribes and Pharisees.

God’s purpose in all these things is to form a people for Himself in whom He rejoices. If we will seek the LORD and do what He says, then He will turn our failures into victories and our sorrows into everlasting joy!