Redemption
I've slowed down in my reading of Isaiah, as I've been leading a small group of guys, going through daily readings of different books of the Bible and devotionals. I also recently finished God Built by Steve Farrar, which is a study of the life of Joseph. So, now I'm back reading Isaiah, and I'm currently meditating on and studying Isaiah 49-53. With only a quick read of these five chapters, one major theme comes out: Redemption. God makes it very clear that He will rescue Israel, and not only bring her back from exile, but also bring her back into relationship with him. This is amazing to me, as it's clear from reading just about anywhere in Scripture that this is God's heart for us. We have rebelled against Him, yet He's constantly pursuing us and seeking to bring us back into relationship with Him. Our consequences aren't punishment from an angry God who is fed-up with us and our rebellious ways. God's discipline is always motivated by a heart to bring us back into right relationship with Him, so we can enjoy the life He created us for.
However, there's a more personal, though no more or less joyful, side to this message. Israel did rebel. They were exiled because of their choices to do their own thing rather than trust God and His ways. How often have I done that? I have chosen to go my own way, more often than not, out of fear that God's way wouldn't work, or He wouldn't come through, or He wasn't coming through fast enough. The hope here is that God never gives up! Yes, He disciplines (in a variety of ways), but His discipline is always with hope and purpose - to set me back on the right path, and teach me not only to do His way, but also that His way is what I really want, though it may not be enjoyable getting there.
This morning I spent about 20 min. working out. I worked up a good sweat, was breathing hard, and am a little sore in the shoulders. My goal is to have a body that is in shape, that can handle hard work and long hours of work, even as I'm getting older. The pain and difficulty I experience now is for my body's good. Likewise, the pain and discipline God puts in my life is for my good, created so that I can enjoy life the way God intended. And, when I try and do it my way rather than His, the discipline He uses to not only bring me back to His way, but also to teach me to trust Him more next time, is painful, but worth the time and effort to make me into His image.
Now, to put that into practice rather than just great theoretical writing.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
However, there's a more personal, though no more or less joyful, side to this message. Israel did rebel. They were exiled because of their choices to do their own thing rather than trust God and His ways. How often have I done that? I have chosen to go my own way, more often than not, out of fear that God's way wouldn't work, or He wouldn't come through, or He wasn't coming through fast enough. The hope here is that God never gives up! Yes, He disciplines (in a variety of ways), but His discipline is always with hope and purpose - to set me back on the right path, and teach me not only to do His way, but also that His way is what I really want, though it may not be enjoyable getting there.
This morning I spent about 20 min. working out. I worked up a good sweat, was breathing hard, and am a little sore in the shoulders. My goal is to have a body that is in shape, that can handle hard work and long hours of work, even as I'm getting older. The pain and difficulty I experience now is for my body's good. Likewise, the pain and discipline God puts in my life is for my good, created so that I can enjoy life the way God intended. And, when I try and do it my way rather than His, the discipline He uses to not only bring me back to His way, but also to teach me to trust Him more next time, is painful, but worth the time and effort to make me into His image.
Now, to put that into practice rather than just great theoretical writing.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
posted by Pastor Paul at
7:23 AM
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