Return now! God will abundantly pardon!

“Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isa. 55:6-7 NLT)

The passage above gives four commands, (things you must do), with a great promise at the end (what God will do in response to your obedience).

Four things you must do

1) Seek the Lord while you can find him. This is a warning to act immediately because this may be a time sensitive situation for you and may not last. Jesus tells a story about a wealthy man who had so much that he decided to build bigger storage barns to hold it all, then planned to live extravagantly in comfort. But he died that night without warning (Luke 12:16-21). The point is, we are going to die someday, usually without warning, so prepare ahead for it, while you still have time.

2) Call on Him now while He is near. This second line in the passage above is basically saying the same thing as the previous line with more urgency. Repetitiveness is not unusual in Scripture.Words and phrases are often repeated to emphasize importance. Jesus used this method when He repeated the word truly twice in John 3:3: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The point is, it’s critical to call on God immediately while you still can.

3) Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. This is about repentance in behavior and in thoughts. Jesus said repentance is absolutely necessary to be saved. “I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:3 NIV) and the Apostle Paul said, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom. 8:5-6 ESV)

4) Let him return to the Lord. The forth command is a charge to return to the Lord. This command can be found sun many places throughout the Bible.  

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Return to Me,” declares the Lord of hosts, “that I may return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 1:3)

“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,” (Job 22:23)

 Here’s the promise 

5) That he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

“I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jer. 24:7)

Therefore

“Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness And relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:13)

“Let us examine and probe our ways, And let us return to the Lord.” (Lam. 3:40)

“Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.” (Hos. 12:6)