Published 6/18/19
Read Isaiah 54:4-8
"Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you," says the Lord, your Redeemer.
Reflect
· Do you sense God's compassion and acceptance?
· Is your relationship with Jesus close and peaceful?
· Do you believe that reconciliation with God is complete and free of worldly complications? Why or why not? (Please explain.)
What does reconciliation look like? In Isaiah 54, the writer shows us what our relationship with God can be, even though our sin and betrayal get in the way.
The Lord tells us that His love is everlasting, that He will have compassion on you and that the blessing of his mercy will remain. Among the imagery is a young wife, abandoned by her husband, being called back amid her grief. If you have ever comforted a husband or wife in this type of situation, you know the deep, soul-wrenching pain such a relationship riff causes.
At those moments, our deepest desire is to have things return to the way they were before. Reconciliation reestablishes relationship though it's impossible for it to be the same as it was. In those instances, we must work through the remaining hurt and rebuild trust. We must establish a new normal.
The exciting news is that reconciliation with God is complete and free of these complications. He promises that, with His great compassion, He will take us back. He promises that His love is faithful and His mercies unending. Just as He is perfect, He provides for perfect reconciliation.
Pray
Lord, you are perfect, full of great compassion and faithful in love. Today I confess that I have sinned against you and I seek your perfect reconciliation. Thank you for the opportunity to start fresh with you today! In Jesus Name, Amen.