Listen! (Isaiah 59:1-6)
Listen! The Lord is not weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem---your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest. Their lawsuits are based on lies. They spend their time plotting evil deeds and then doing them. They spend their time and energy spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions. They cheat and shortchange everyone. Nothing they do is productive; all their activity is filled with sin. Violence is their trademark. I just came across this passage last night and the Lord spoke to me through it. "Don't be surprised when evil comes your way after many prayers and supplications. I can hear you but sin is ...