Dramatic Change

Read Isaiah 35-37
 
Isaiah 35:4-6 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come. He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
 
DRAMATIC change – the message of this scripture – the description of our Creator’s character. He makes the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear and the mute confess. He floods the desert’s dry land into glorious bloom of color, life and streaming water.
    There’s more. God powerfully gives life to you! Yes, you are the result of dramatic change. You once were not, and now you are. You once were dead to sin. You now can be alive in Chris when you call on Jesus as Lord. Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. Indeed, do you know of any greater change in God’s creation? Dust to rain, dry bones to living bodies, morbid souls to eternal life – that is our God.
    Still, there’s more. When God changes you from death to life, he has told you in John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is your discipleship task. Plant the gospel seeds into new minds to prepare their hearts for the Holy Spirit’s dramatic change into their lives. What gifts has the Spirit given you to plant God’s new life into a world in need of dramatic change?
    Seek his Word. Allow the Creator’s character to be the sunlight to release his image within you. Allow him to be the rain to deepen your roots for more abundant fruit. Trusting God brings dramatic change to you. Loving God helps bring dramatic change to the world.
 
Pause and Consider: you are the result of dramatic change.