We all are separated from God by sin. Even so, the Lord loves us and desires a relationship with us. But because the problem is rooted in us, He knows we will not seek Him on our own. Even if we do, on our own we will not find Him. So He initiates. He reaches out to us. He speaks to us in His Word. In today’s reading, Isaiah tells us the Lord’s relationship with the nation of Israel began with a call (vv. 12, 15). He goes on to say, “I have not spoken in secret.” He has revealed His will to ancient Israel and to us. We are assured that He teaches us how to live profitably and leads us in the way we should go. The Lord speaks and always has spoken to His people. But we have not always had ears to hear. Sometimes we’d rather not be confronted by the Lord. We’d rather go our own way. When His Spirit accompanies His word (v. 17), however, our ears are unplugged and we believe and receive. He calls us first to admit our sin and accept Jesus as our Savior. Then, with His Word and by His Spirit, He leads us in all of life.