New Living Translation (NLT)

You know, reading the Old Testament one thing always stood out to me and still moves me: God's desire, God's longing and God's readiness to forgive. To heal. To provide. To save.

God wants fairness, justice, sincerity. He doesn't need empty ceremonies. Empty religion. He's after your heart.

And that's what Isaiah 1 is about. God telling His people: come now, quit your rebelling. Let me heal your hearts, 'cause you guys are sick. More than you realize.

Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts, I can't stand your empty ceremonies, I'm sick of them.

Learn to do good, seek justice. Your hearts have become so hardened.

And then He pleads with them.. "Come now, let's settle this." (Isa 1:18)

Listen to me, give me your hearts, quit your rebellion and let me take care of you. I will make your sins white as snow. Let me heal you. Let me take care of you. All you gotta do is trust me. Listen to me. I want only the best for you. I want you to choose life, not death.

Spoken like a true Father. A kind and loving Father. Quick to forgive. With amazing patience.

I don't know about you, but reading this, makes me fall in love with God's heart all over again.

It's this love, His love, that makes me want to be the best version of myself. Not because I have to, but because I love Him.

If you got anything in your life holding you back, making you feel unworthy of His love, then this is God letting you know: come now, let's settle this. No sin's too big for me to forgive.

Come now, let's settle this. 🔥🙌