Isaiah 44:21-22
“Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are
my servant;
I formed you;
you are my servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and
your sins like mist.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Do you see these things, child? I made you. Your form was made precious and beautiful by my hands,
and because I love you. You are my servant. You are here to work in my
vineyard, and to bring others home with you at the end of the day. O Israel,
lovely, you will never be forgotten no matter how many people lose track of
you. I will always remember you. Your life and faith are always on my mind.
Your sins have been hidden as surely as a billowing white cloud hides the blue
sky in summertime. When you feel blinded on a misty morning, remember that I am
that blind to your sins. And when you get lost in that mist, return your
soul to me, because I have purchased you from wandering and all that follows
lostness.
It’s the simplest of lessons. I formed you. You are my
servant. You will not be forgotten by me. I blotted out your transgressions.
Return. I have redeemed you. The words are short and simple! It takes seconds
to read through them and continue on to the next verses. The truths, though.
Can such beautiful truth be so simple? It’s practically a complete compilation
of answers to those questions life smears tauntingly in our faces
Where in this universe DID we come from?
I formed you.
Why does that matter?
You are my
servant.
Who cares about that? Nobody pays attention to your
servants.
I will never stop
paying attention to you.
Well we messed it up. Sorry. No can do.
I am as blind to
your forgiven sin as you are to the sun at night.
Oh…
Return! I have redeemed you. Come back.
And that return is the most
glorious return of all.
“Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it;
Shout, O depths of the earth;
Break forth into singing, O mountains,
O forest, an every tree in it!
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob
and will be glorified in Israel.”
