Remembering

Here are a few beautiful thoughts from Isaiah chapters 40-44 that especially touched my heart this morning:

"I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; 

I will not remember your sins."

"Thus says the LORD who made you,
who formed you in the womb and will help you . . .
For I will pour water on thirsty ground, and streams on dry ground;
 I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams . . . "

"But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
'Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.' "

"When the poor and needy seek water,
    and there is none,
    and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them;
    I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water . . .
. . . that they may see and know,
    may consider and understand together,
that the hand of the Lord has done this . . ."

"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."

This brings to my remembrance the Keith Green song we know and love so well:

O Lord, please light the fire / that once burned bright and clear 

Replace the lamp of my first love / that burns with holy fear
Oh Lord, you're beautiful / Your face is all I seek 

For when your eyes are on this child / Your grace abounds to me.

Don't neglect reflecting on the grace of God, dear ones. Repentance is motivated by grace (Rom. 2:4). The life of the redeemed is a blessed road, despite our earthly woes and heartaches. We have the peace that surpasses all understanding, and we have the God of ages who says, "I will not remember your sins," "You are mine," "Return to me," "I will not forsake you." He says these things to you. Let your heart be tender to his love.

"Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling / Calling for you and for me . . . "

"I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses 
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses . . ."

Coram Deo! ~cherrybee