God's Glory Church

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” — Isaiah 43:1

For an illustration during the sermon, I went to a beautiful painting that the artist had created of a church scene and drew a dark line down the middle of the canvas. The church community gasped in surprise. At the same time, the artist just stood and watched as I distorted what she had created. Then, choosing a new brush, she lovingly transformed the damaged painting into an exclusive work of art.

Restoring the painting reminds me of the work God can do in our lives when we destroy it. The prophet Isaiah rebuked the Israelites for their spiritual blindness and deafness (Is. 42:18-19) and at the same time proclaimed hope for God’s salvation and redemption: “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you” (Is. 43:1). He can do the same for us. Even if we have sinned, God forgives us and restores us if we repent of our sins and turn to Him (vv. 5-7; see 1 John 1:9). We cannot create beauty out of mess, but the Lord Jesus can. The good news of the Gospel is that He redeemed us with His Blood. The Book of Revelation states that in the end Christ will wipe away our tears and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5).

We have a limited view of our history. However, God, who knows us by name (Is. 43:1), will make our lives even more beautiful than we could imagine. If you are already redeemed through faith in Jesus, then your story, like a picture, has a glorious ending.

What a mess have you made? What has God provided for your restoration and redemption?

Dear Jesus, thank you for never leaving me. I rely on You and I ask that You please restore what I have destroyed.

Author: Glenn Packiam