Living 4 Him

“It’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.”  Isaiah 53:10 (The Message)

Gratitude is a key to unlock great joy in our lives. This week in the United States, our minds lean toward gratitude for the blessings of the year.  As you reflect on the ways God provides sustenance both physically and spiritually, pay close attention to his greatest gift; the gift of salvation. 

Isaiah 53 outlines much of Jesus’ life and his death for humankind, the sheep who strayed from God’s paths. (Isaiah 53:6) In verse 10, quoted above, several scriptural versions announce that God’s will or God’s plan was good, bringing him many children counted as righteous; a plan that would prosper and succeed. 

We live in the success of God’s plan; souls saved, bearing righteousness.  Our souls, although tainted by the imperfections of this world, still shine brightly with the beauty of God’s character.  Our part is to accept this salvation and to believe:

God’s forgiveness comes from a heart of grace.

God’s forgiveness accompanies us in every moment on this earth.

God’s forgiveness leads us to a path of everlasting life.

The magnitude of grace received in Christ’s grand sacrifice pushes our souls to rejoice in God’s greatness.  We have been handed Heaven’s best despite the darkness that tries to invade our lives.  Hallelujah! 

When God took us as his own, it was for good and all.  He forged a partnership with us that nothing will ever separate.  And in that partnership he promises to make beauty from ashes, to dispense joy instead of despair and to set every wrong thing right again. (Isaiah 61:3, 2 Peter 3:13)

From the writings of Corrie Ten Boom comes this wisdom:

“I once visited a weaver’s school where the students were making beautiful patterns.  I asked, ‘When you make a mistake, must you cut it out and start from the beginning?’

“A student said, ‘No. Our teacher is such a great artist that when we make a mistake, he uses it to improve the beauty of the pattern.’

“That is what the Lord does with our mistakes.  He is the greatest artist but we must surrender.  Surrender your blunders to the Lord.  He can use them to make the pattern of your life more beautiful.”

This is truly the glory of salvation.  God evolves good from every broken piece of this earth.  We are not only saved, but we are transformed into the light of his goodness.  May these understandings soak into your mind and your heart and may gratitude for salvation arise.

As we give thanks for God’s goodness each day, let’s also flip our own perspectives and realize how thankful God is for us.

We are the work of his hand.

We are the joy of his heart. 

We are the apple of his eye. 

We are the object of his love. 

Be blessed by the God of Salvation for He is your Hope!

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in our souls): Read through the entire chapter ofIsaiah 53 and rejoice in God’s good plan for our lives.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Spend extra time this week and in the Advent Season ahead to be thankful for the God’s gift of salvation and spend time remembering how thankful God is for you!