Meditation
YOU ARE MINE
Text: Isaiah 43
9 November 2014
GOD’S LOVE EXPRESSED IN NUMEROUS WAYS
God showed His love for His people in many different ways. The prophet Isaiah detailed a number of ways in which God demonstrated His everlasting love for His people.
1. By virtue of God’s creation
“Thus says the LORD who created you… who formed you…” Isaiah 43:1
a) God created the nation because of His love
b) He had especially formed the nation to be His own
2. By virtue of His redemption
“I have redeemed you…” Isaiah 43:1
a) God had redeemed His people from slavery in Egypt
b) He had redeemed them from a disastrous spiritual state
3. By virtue of His commitment
“You are Mine” Isaiah 43:1
a) God considered Israel “His people”
b) He had established a special relationship of Love
4. By virtue of His promises to be with His people
“I will be with you…:” Isaiah 43:2
a) Through the waters
b) Through the rivers
c) Through the fire
DEEP SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS
You would think that ancient Israel would have been deeply moved by these tender words of love from God. Sadly these words virtually fell on deaf ears. There were deep spiritual problems that prevented them from responding. The following problems may be highlighted:-
1. The people had not called upon the Lord in faith Isaiah 43:22
2. Instead they had become weary of the Lord Isaiah 43:22
3. They had not worshipped Him in faith and love Isaiah 43:22
4. They had not sought to honour Him at all Isaiah 43:23
5. They had only burdened God with their sins Isaiah 43:24
The sins of ancient Israel are very much our sins today! Let us examine our hearts honestly.
TURNING TO GOD
The Lord’s love was such that despite the sinful state of the nation, He offered the following:
1. He offered to blot out their sins Isaiah 43:25
2. He will not remember their sins Isaiah 43:25
What a great and wonderful God we have. Let us turn to the Lord for His cleansing. Let us rejoice that we have such a gloriously loving God!