You’ve done it this time! There is no coming back. You are a loser. You’re worthless. Here is the point of no return.
How loud these voices are when we operate less than humanly. We have a problem. It is guaranteed that we will fail, stuff up, and find ourselves stuck. There will be no hiding how far off the mark we are.
In our defeat we may well ask ourselves, “Where is God in this?”
Yet God speaks into our mess again, and again, and again. Here is what He says,
How loud these voices are when we operate less than humanly. We have a problem. It is guaranteed that we will fail, stuff up, and find ourselves stuck. There will be no hiding how far off the mark we are.
In our defeat we may well ask ourselves, “Where is God in this?”
Yet God speaks into our mess again, and again, and again. Here is what He says,
They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
the Redeemed of the Lord;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
Isaiah 62:12 (NIV)
Read it again, slowly. This is God’s word to you, it is real, alive and always timely.
“Redeemed of the Lord.” You are purchased at the cross!
“Sought After.” He wants you as His own!
These are profound statements, they are identity statements. “Redeemed” and “Sought After” are the names that God gives to those He rescues, because those whom He saves are His delight (Zephaniah 3:17).
It is true, look at Jesus when He turns and rebukes a cynical and self-righteous crowd. They are disgusted with Jesus and the company He keeps. Yet He announces the purpose of that day, of your day, of every day: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). What is God’s heart for you in Christ? Those who are wayward and at their worst are sought out, redeemed, and brought close again, and again, and again.
When your identity is taking a beating, remember that the primary purpose of God in Scripture is renewing and restoring it. Your identity is never too far gone. You are whole, you are precious, you are secure when Jesus finds you and you find your identity in Him.
“Redeemed of the Lord.” You are purchased at the cross!
“Sought After.” He wants you as His own!
These are profound statements, they are identity statements. “Redeemed” and “Sought After” are the names that God gives to those He rescues, because those whom He saves are His delight (Zephaniah 3:17).
It is true, look at Jesus when He turns and rebukes a cynical and self-righteous crowd. They are disgusted with Jesus and the company He keeps. Yet He announces the purpose of that day, of your day, of every day: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). What is God’s heart for you in Christ? Those who are wayward and at their worst are sought out, redeemed, and brought close again, and again, and again.
When your identity is taking a beating, remember that the primary purpose of God in Scripture is renewing and restoring it. Your identity is never too far gone. You are whole, you are precious, you are secure when Jesus finds you and you find your identity in Him.