Considering the most important decision ever made, we might think it is the decision to accept Christ, to give Him rule over our lives. This isn’t necessarily wrong. But ONE decision has been made to precede all decisions; that is GOD’S decision to have mercy. We can almost hear the decision-making process in the heart of God:

“I was enraged by his sinful greed;
I punished him, and hid My face in anger,
yet he kept on in his willful ways.
I have seen his ways, BUT I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him” (Is 57:17)

Do you feel the anguish and the pause…a pause turning Him in mercy? God will instead heal this man He’s created. Something will have to give, though. And that will be Himself.

We are totally bent on proceeding willfully, “yet he kept on.” God says to us, “You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say ‘It is hopeless” (Is 57:10). After giving out punishment after punishment, God is, so to speak, at the end of Himself. What will he do? The songwriter says: “He placed His love upon the altar.” Why?

Why does He love? “God IS love.” How tenderly He looks at us:
“…nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before Me-the breath of men that I have created” (Is 57:16)

Oh, how He loves His man! In God’s vulnerability, He will place His love, His healing…His Son upon the altar and call out “Peace, peace to those far and near…and I will heal them (Is 57:19b).

Behold the decision of Father.