We have all strayed like sheep. Each one of
us has turned to go his own way, and the Lord has laid all our sins on him. (Isaiah
53:6).
I am amazed at
the relentless love of God. Again and again and again, God gives his people
another chance. People fail, but God is faithful. I love this verse in Isaiah. For
me, it captures the sense that even though we have turned away from God, he has
not turned away from us.
When I watch
shepherds keeping their sheep together reminds me of the old saying, “It’s like
herding cats!” I imagine this is a good picture of what the history of humanity
has been like for God.
The more I get
in touch with my need to stray from God, the more amazing his love becomes to
me. Isaiah expresses it so simply, and yet so profoundly: “but the Lord has
laid on him the iniquity of us all.” I love the “but”s in the Bible. And not
the one you sit on. They introduce truths that stand in sharp contrast to what
we might expect. Here, “but” leads us to the greatest act of love the world
would know.
But God. Two of
my favorite words: But God. He intervened in my life. He allowed me to stray so
far in order that I would trust in Him. I am thankful for His patience with me
(as described in 2 Pet. 3:9: The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some
people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy
anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change
the way they think and act.). I don't like thinking about where I would be
right now without the "But God" moment in my life, but I do know that
I am where I am only because of Him. What follows this significant transition of
"But God" is intended to challenge our faith and change our life.
When He is brought into the picture, God makes all the difference.
Life is going
one way-things seem hopeless-but then all of a sudden a holy God intervenes and
everything changes. Another way God intervenes in our lives is through His
favor, You know, God will give favor to anyone who will believe Him. But that
is another message all together.
Jesus suffered
terribly on the cross for our sins. It seemed as if God was displeased with
Jesus. But in fact Jesus died to do His Father’s will. He lived and died for
others, not because of any displeasure that God had against Him personally but
so that God’s love might be born forth in the lives of the wicked. We first
need to acknowledge our sins, however, before we can ever find the glorious
love of God in Christ.
I am a sheep
that has gone astray. BUT, God has taken all my iniquity, my sin and laid it on
Jesus. From the Cross, he screams across the universe, “I love you!” How can we
resist such love? Today, put a “but” on your hand to remind you of God’s love. Maybe
you haven't believed, but know that God is chasing after you in love. I pray
that you would experience the "But God" moment in your life today!
