Even Now

Acts 28:23-27 (ESV)
²³ When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
²⁴ And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
²⁵ And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
²⁶ " 'Go to this people, and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
²⁷ For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'

Paul preaches the gospel to the Jews in Rome and the effect then is the same as now: some were convinced, but others disbelieved. It is up to us to accept the good news. This is our part in God’s plan of salvation. 

The next verses I misinterpreted for the longest time. I read the quote from Isaiah as a curse from God as a result of their disobedience. Time and time again the Jews had disappointed a patient and loving God. I thought He had given up on them, taking away the possibility of understanding and healing. That is not what is being said here. Our Father would have embraced them in a heartbeat. His healing was there if only they would turn to Him: “I would heal them”. 

Understanding with the heart implies faith, which is beyond and more visceral than merely understanding with our minds. It is the knowing beyond knowing, believing in things unseen. It is evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Even today the Lord holds out His hand to those who would turn to Him. In that turning, He meets us where we are. Even now He waits.