A People formed for God’s Glory

A People formed for God’s Glory || Isa 43:18-21 || Pastor Aaron Robinson

Have you ever felt like you were neglected by God? Cut off from God's promise on your life? Have you ever wondered why you are in the predicament that you are in? Does it sometime feel like you are in a deserted, desert like place and you're wondering how you're going to make it home?

These are some of the feelings and questions the nation Israel may have been asking in the text for today. They were in exile in Babylon wondering if they would ever get home. I'm sure they were questioning if God had forgotten them or if God would remember them.

In the text we find God's answer to these questions, God reminds the nation of Israel that they are not forgotten but favored. Even though they have messed up God tells them to forget their past mistakes because God is about to do a new thing. God is about to coordinate their return to the promise made to them and their ancestors. The text tells us that even though they will have to cross deserts to get to the promise God will provide water in a dry place for them. And because they are God's chosen people even the animals will be blessed because of them. Isaiah reminds us that God is a God of provision, and revision

• Provision - the text tells us that God will provide for them in a dry and desolate place.  Like God provided for their ancestors God will give them what they need on the journey toward their promise. The reality is oftentimes the journey to the promise is full of obstacles and hardships but God's chosen always gets what they need when they need it.
  
  
• Revision - Isaiah reminds us that God is rewriting their story. The nation Israel is in captivity in Babylon but God is making revisions to the story so that they can go back to their promise. Each day we wake God is making edits to the mistakes we've made so that we can move toward the promise that God has for us.
  
  

This text also informs the reader in a subtle way that they have a responsibility to praise God for what God is doing. The writer reminds us to recall what God has done but also focus on what God is doing right now, for God's chosen people. Regardless of the mistakes you made, the mishaps you've been a part of or maybe even the mayhem you've caused you were still formed for God's glory. As you move through this Lenten journey remember you were formed for God's glory which means you are an instrument in God’s story.

Prayer:  Most gracious and merciful God we thank you for the grace you’ve shown us and the mercy you've granted us. Help us to see you in US so others will experience a part you in us.  Help us to move in the glory of you, guide us on this Lenten journey so that we might end up closer to you. Amen and Ase’