All to God

Read Isaiah 43:8-45:13
 
Isaiah 43:25 “I, yes, I alone will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”
 
GOD says something very special here. Do you see it? “I will blot out your sins for my own sake.” I believe every time we think of God’s forgiveness, we consider it is for our sake. “God has forgiven me, and I am free from that sin.” Yes, it is a wonderful gift! Then his gift returns to him. He forgives for his sake. What does that mean? In essence, God benefits from his forgiveness.
   First God’s forgiveness reveals his extreme love. He is actively pursuing you, ready to give himself to you. Witness Jesus to the cross. Think of the Father’s deep love and his will to forgive even through the sacrifice of his own son. Then you will indeed know God’s unmatching love. Second, God forgives to draw people to him. News gets around. God’s forgiveness has been displayed in Israel’s history since the call of Abraham. The Bible is structured around his plan to forgive sins. Today people throughout the world know God and his forgiveness. Christians everywhere uphold God’s name! When we forgive, God is exalted. “God makes himself famous,” one commentator writes. When people want to know, “Can I trust his forgiveness?” God’s reputation says, “Yes, you can!” 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.   
 
God’s Call to His Plan
 
Isaiah 45:2-5 This is what the LORD says: “I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness, secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. 4 And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 5 I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don't even know me, 6 so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
  
THIS is a very specific prophecy. Cyrus is a future king of Persia. His armies will conquer Babylon and allow the Jews to begin returning from the exile. Isaiah prophesies God’s plan: Why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me. This is a very personal anointing of a man to do God’s will on earth. The NIV Bible says “I will bestow on you a title of honor.” These are very special and gracious words to a man who would never call God, “My LORD.” God used this same anointing language when he spoke to Israel in Isaiah 43:1, reminding them they are especially chosen, called in God’s plan of salvation. They will experience God’s honor, power and blessings.
   When God calls, he exhibits his gracious purpose to involve us in his salvation work. We have seen several times when he used other nations’ rulers without their knowledge. In truth, this is God’s sovereign authority over his creation. God does this to declare, “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” It is good we remember this in all things we do. The Christian life is a supremely special call. Let’s faithfully and joyfully respond to God’s will.