A clean slate

Today: Jeremiah 30-31

Years ago I bought a book for a friend called, "101 Things God Can't Do." That may sound controversial when you believe God is all-powerful (which I do of course!), but it's actually a cool little book that, using Scripture, highlights some of the great things about God's character.

One of those things was discussed in today's passage. Let's review:

"This is the brand-new covenant
that I will make with Israel when the time comes.
I will put my law within them—
write it on their hearts!—
and be their God.
And they will be my people.
They will no longer go around setting up schools
to teach each other about God.
They'll know me firsthand,
the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow.
I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them.
I'll forget they ever sinned!"
God's Decree.

Love this! One thing God can't do? Remember the sins He's already forgiven for us. Once we ask for His forgiveness, they're out of His mind--we have been given a clean slate and a fresh start by a perfect, all-powerful God. Isn't that cool?!?

A few other things I love about this passage? The picture of God writing His law on our hearts. The fact that we can know Him firsthand no matter how smart or foolish we are. We don't have to go through a ceremony or even a priest to ask for forgiveness for our sins or to know God--we can know Him and talk to Him directly. Jesus is the One who paid the price for our sins and offers us the clean slate. Wow--thank God for that!

He can't forget you

Today: Isaiah 49-53

"You probably don't remember me, but..."

Have you ever said those words? Or heard them directed toward you?

Imagine that you said those words to a person I'll refer to as a "Crush from Afar"? What would you want him/her to say to you?

I don't know about you, but I've had a few of those guys in my life. In college, there was one guy who I liked from a distance--he was really cute and friends who knew him raved, "He's just the NICEST guy!" I knew that he was a musician, that he attended Bible study regularly and that he was funny. The problem? He hadn't really met me...ever.

Imagine my surprise when he showed up on my doorstep. He appeared out of nowhere at an open house my roommates and I hosted during our senior year. I still don't know why he came...he wasn't really friends with any of my roommates or with me (obviously). In fact, the roommate who opened the door was so surprised that she exclaimed, "Whoa! Hi!"...and then proceeded to shut the door, leaving my Crush From Afar dumbfounded on the doorstep. She came inside and grabbed one of our other roommates.

"You'll never guess who's here--MIKE SMITH!" (Not his real name.)

"Well did you let him in?!?" said the ever-calm, rational roommate.

"Uh-oh..."

This story was very dramatic for me and my roommates at the time (and I'm not even giving you all the details here). But I doubt that my Crush From Afar would even remember this incident...or me...at all.

I thought my Crush was one of the most amazing guys on a small college campus. There were other girls who were much prettier, smarter and funnier. Why would he have time for me? Why would he know my name? I didn't expect him to and I still don't.

And as much as I'd like my former Crush From Afar to remember me, it's WAY more important...and pretty stinkin' miraculous...that God remembers me.

In comparison, God is SO MUCH more amazing than that my former crush. And He's one God with a zillion people clamoring for His attention and affection. Yet somehow, He remembers me...and you, too, of course. Take a look at this:

Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,

walk away from the baby she bore?

But even if mothers forget,

I'd never forget you—

never.

Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands...

My pastor once read this passage to our congregation and asked, "Did you know that God has a tattoo?" I had read the verses above before, but picturing God with a tattoo that reminded Him of me seemed so much more vivid. Tattoos are painful...and pretty permanent (God's definitely is!).

Later in the passage, this beautiful excerpt describes more of the mark you and I left on our Savior--and how those bruises and scars are the permanent evidence of God's love for us. He can't forget you. No matter what:

He took the punishment, and that made us whole.

Through his bruises we get healed.

We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.

We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.

And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
He was beaten, he was tortured,

but he didn't say a word.

Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared,

he took it all

in silence...

Still, it's what God had in mind all along,

to crush him with pain.

The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin

so that he'd see life come from it—

life, life, and more life.

And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.

Tomorrow: Isaiah 54-58