We spend so much time being busy that we don’t take a time out to be still and be with God.  God is preparing us for what lies ahead. If we set aside time for Him, we may seemingly accomplish less, but we are actually accomplishing MORE. “More” will be reflected as God’s Light in us to the watching world.  Others are watching Christians and those who call themselves Christians.  As I read Isaiah 64 -65, I read of God’s intense appearance.   An all consuming fire that sets twigs ablaze and causes the water to boil.  His mere appearance has been described to be like a storm or an earthquake.  Such glory cannot be understood.  Our sin and uncleanness makes us unapproachable physically to God- at least for now.  What we consider to be our “righteousness” or “good conduct” is described to be like a filthy rag-unworthy of God….STILL.  
     Isaiah 65 talks about God’s sadness and anger over how He had been treated. He was rejected. He speaks of how He continually held out His hand to a people, Israel, who continually rejected Him. They continued to pursue their own desires and God states that they continued to provoke Him “to my very face” ( Isa 65: 3, NIV).   They worshipped and offered sacrifices to idols, they consulted evil spirits.  They felt that their way was better and did not need God.  Our world is not so different today.  In verse 6, we are told that God has said He “will not keep silent, but will pay back in full..” (NIV).  I am saddened as I read God’s disappointment in how His people, His chosen people made in His image, treated Him.  Oh how disappointed He must have been and continues to be.  He was rejected and , still, continues to be rejected.  He was wronged and, still, continues to be wronged.  YET, in Isa. 65:17-25 , He describes how He loves us all ….STILL.  Regardless of all that has been done to Him.  He begins to describe the new heaven and new earth.  He describes how He will not remember the former things.  He will rejoice and take delight in His people. This means simply, He forgives and loves us…still.  Isa 65:20 (NIV), nearly brought me to tears.  It describes such pain the we continue to experience in today’s world.  But, God will take all of that away from us. He gives a very vivid description of our New Heaven and New Earth to come.  Why? Because He loves us…still.  Despite all that the human race has done to Him, and to others(ourselves …His temple) He still loves us and HE FORGIVES US.  He forgives ME.  He forgives YOU.  He forgives OTHERS who have wronged you and me.   As humans, we hold a grudge when we have been wronged.  Who are we to judge and punish?  As much as we may have been hurt or wronged, it does not measure to what has been done to God. It does not measure to what was done to Jesus when He walked the Earth.  YET, He forgives ….Still
We have so much to learn…. still! To learn, we have to be STILL.