Isaiah’s Good News
April 2009 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Isaiah’s Good News
I sat outside one morning watching the wind sweep away dark storm clouds to let blue sky and sunshine appear. It reminded me of the desire we all have that this same thing would happen in our lives. Then I thought of this bit of God’s good news from the prophet Isaiah: “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you” (Isa. 44:22 NIV ).
If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that our sins are like a dark cloud that causes a troublesome feeling in our lives. Isaiah tells us that our sins also bother God: “You have burdened Me with your sins, and wearied Me with your offenses” (Isa. 43:24). The Bible says that because of our sins, we deserve punishment and death (Rom. 6:23). But because God loves us He sweeps away our sins and gives us His gift of new life: “I am He who blots out your transgressions ... and remembers your sins no more” (Isa. 43:25).
How does God do this? By giving His only Son to die on the cross for our sins: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). His shed blood sweeps all our sins away, leaving only the light of His love to fill our lives: “The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). When God sweeps away the cloud of sin from our lives, He invites us to return to Him and tells us why it’s possible: “Return to Me, for I have redeemed you” (Isa. 44:22).
Will you listen to the prophet Isaiah’s good news and let God remove the dark cloud of sin from your life? Will you recognize that His Son is the Light of the world sent to redeem you from your lost and dark condition? Will you turn now to Him and let the blood of Jesus wash away your sins so that you can enjoy eternal life?
Read this month’s Feature articles to learn more about the good news of salvation prophesied by Isaiah in the Old Testament.
By Larry Ondrejack