Isaiah 43:22-28     

Have you ever had a friend who seemed to do more taking than giving? Perhaps they take more of the conversation time. Maybe they take more of the attention. It could be that they just take more of the relationship than you do. Either way, someone who does nothing but take cannot remain a good friend for long; relationships are not one-sided.

I imagine that God may have felt the similarly in this passage. A long list of actions that had not been done is cited: no sheep for sacrifice, no fat from sacrifices, and no calling on God. So what did the Israelites have if not these things? The writer states: “You have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses” (v. 24). Ouch. That sounds an awful lot like a one-sided relationship. And we are the ones doing all the taking.

Take a moment to allow God to search your heart. Where are the places in your life where you might be doing all the taking in your relationship with God?

Now take a moment to release these back to God. Ask God’s forgiveness. Ask for God’s guidance to deepen your relationship with Him. You can’t do all the taking!

Author: Mark Hendrickson