Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
Monday Rewind: God’s Unyielding Grace – Is. 42:18-43:21
This is one highlight from a sermon I preached at Mission Fellowship Church on June 6, 2009, entitled, “You’re the One Not Listening!” The idea of this sermon was formulated by the the dispute from Is 42:18-23. The Israelites believed that God was not hearing them or their cries for help. God responds to his people that they were the ones not listening to him. He was disciplining them for their sins. Yet he had not forgotten them. In fact, he was about to bring relief.
In 43:1-5, God tells the people that, in fact, he was on his way with relief. What brought the relief that God promised? The people haven’t changed. Their sins and attitudes showed little change during their time of captivity. It is not a change in them so much as it was the grace and devotion of God. God had such an unyielding love and commitment to Israel that he repositioned them and their life in the world.
God tells Israel “Do Not Fear”. The basis for this claim is that God has redeemed the nation. Redemption can carry the idea of a family intervention where a stronger member of the family intervenes to assure the well being of the a weaker member. In addition to “do not fear”, God reminds the people that he has “called [them] by name”. This may be an adoption formula. Regardless, Israel is identified with, belongs to, and is cherished by God. John Calvin states, “God refuses to be deprived of his rightful possession”
God invested a great of love into his children. In 43:1-5 he reminds them that he:
- Created them
- Formed them
- Redeemed them
- Called them by name
- He will be with them
God loves deeply his children and though he disciplines them, he does not abandon them. He seeks to woo them back into a blessed relationship with them. It is not based on our merit or our goodness. It is based on God’s unyielding grace poured out upon his children.
Ultimately, what matters most about you is not what you deserve but whose you are. Whatever life throws at you, including God’s tough love, he will go with you into it.
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Tags: Monday Highlights, Sermons
