WE ARE HIS
Erin Kranz
Today's Scripture: “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.” Isaiah 43:1, ESV
Theme: God’s people throughout time are created for His pleasure and His glory.
IN THE BEGINNING
This week we’ve walked through the truth that living our way doesn’t satisfy. We learned what it looks like to truly put God first, our calling to obey God’s commandments, and the need to make an intentional plan with our days here on Earth. Our final encouragement for you is a simple thought – God created you for Himself.
Every one of us has wondered why we’re really here. Thankfully, God didn’t leave us alone with this massive question but gave us many glimpses at the answer throughout Scripture. As our verse for the day says, God formed us, redeemed us, and called us for Himself. Even back in the very beginning, we read “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27, ESV). No other thing in all God’s creation was given the honor of being created in His likeness. David reminds us of this in the psalms – “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3, ESV).
REDEEMED
Unfortunately, most of us know how the story goes after that – sin enters the world and distracts us and separates us from God. But even back then, God had a plan to redeem us! I love that our title gets an upgrade after Jesus’ death and resurrection; David called us sheep, but John calls us children: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (I John 3:1a, ESV). And again, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13, ESV).
I hope you know how much God loves you. You were designed by Him and for Him and to one day spend eternity with Him.
Make It Personal: Knowing that God created you for Himself because He wanted you and loves you is a freeing realization. We don’t have to try to find our value in anything the world tells us to chase. In what areas of your life can you loosen your grip and accept God’s definition of who you really are?
Pray: Dear God, I thank You for Your love. I thank You for Your steadfastness and that Your plans surpass our understanding. Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, so that I can be Your child. Show me where I’m still trying to do life my way and help me rest in the peace that comes from listening to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Weekly Memory Verse: “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” I John 2:16, ESV