As I slowly settle into this new year, I have been reminded of the grace and mercy that is found in the Lord. Often times, I can lose sight of His heart, the heart of a father towards His children, His heart that is quick to forgive and abounding in lovingkindness with arms open wide, ready to receive His child returning to Him.
Isaiah 43:18-21 says, “do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.”
As believers, we are called to a higher standard. We have been given the reference point of what a sinless, perfect life looks like through the example that Jesus set while He was here on earth. And our desire should be to grow and become transformed more and more into the image of Jesus. But in the rawness of humanity, He knew that we could never measure up to that standard, and He never expected us to. There are endless examples in scripture of God’s people turning away from Him with a heart of independence and falling into sin and the consequences of that. But when they recognized their wrong and turned back to the Lord, they were always met with grace, mercy, forgiveness and restoration.
Isaiah 44:22-23 says, “I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me for I have redeemed you. Shout for joy O heavens, for the LORD has done it!” We do not deserve the grace that He so freely offers. But He delights in that humble posture before Him and loves us too much just to leave us in our sin. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). Do you believe this today? We are broken people who need Jesus. But the good news is, when we turn our gaze, fix our eyes on Him and actively seek Him, He is faithful to meet us, and we can then walk in the freedom that He has for us because His grace is sufficient for our every mess up. Even the heaviest and deepest hurts, He promises to make roadways in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. He is doing something new and uses all things for His good. Trust in that today.
By: Brinay Burdick
