LIVING HOPE - Reading With the People of God: Part 18ಮಾದರಿ

I Scarce Can Take It In

One of the most fundamental human needs is feeling loved, accepted, and connected to others. As Christians, we often hear—whether at church or Bible study—that God loves us. But does He like us?

When we read through the Old Testament, the story of God’s chosen people, Israel, reveals a recurring refrain: whether it was Israel itself, her kings, or a particular group, they “did evil in the sight of the Lord.” There seems to be a pattern of straying into idolatry, which leads to all kinds of evil, followed by judgment, lament, and return. But it’s never too long before God’s people become wayward again. In this modern age, it’s easy to read the Bible, look at these ancient peoples, shake our heads in judgment, and think, “Who would do such things? Surely not I.” Then, hopefully, after the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we soon realize that, according to Ephesians 2:1–3, we are the same.

In Isaiah 62, there seems to be a shift where Isaiah lavishes praise on a future Israel. Verses describe how her righteousness will shine and be a crown of beauty that the Lord Himself delights in, as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. There is great anticipation for this future people of God. As Christians, we should understand this. First Peter 1:10 (ESV) provides beautiful insight as Peter writes to believers: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours.” Brothers and sisters, we are grafted into this holy, elect remnant of the true Israel—not because of anything we have done, but only through the work of the Spirit in us, because of the shedding of Christ’s precious blood. If the heavenly angels long to look into the vastness of the Gospel, how is it that we, the recipients of this Gospel, are not overcome with awe?

I recently spoke to a dear elderly saint who was overcome with emotion when talking about what Christ’s love meant to them. It was beautiful. It reminds me of the stanza from “How Great Thou Art”:

“And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.”

“I scarce can take it in.”

That line should cause us all pause.

Primer contributed by Eddie Hoekstra, ministering elder, Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla.