Shred It

"I know that my Redeemer lives."

Job 19:25

In keeping with our thankful theme this week, today I want to talk about how thankful I am that our God is our Redeemer. 

Last night I was sorting through old papers and had to shred several important documents.  Call me odd, but I actually enjoy the mindless work of paper shredding.  I love how quick and easy it is to transform a complete document into hundreds of of pieces of paper confetti.

As I was watching all of the documents instantly disappear, I thought about how in a sense, this is what God does with our sins and failings—He shreds them, once and for all, never to be put back together.   

"I, even I, am he who blots out
   your transgressions, for my own sake,
   and remembers your sins no more."

Isaiah 43:25

"As far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Psalm 103:12

This morning, I'm beyond grateful for a God who freely forgives.  I'm captivated by a God who promises to redeem us and make all things new.  

“Behold, I make all things new.”

Revelation 21:5

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

"For your Creator will be your "husband".  The Lord Almighty is His name; He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth."

Isaiah 54:5 (TLB)

"Lord, I thank You for all the times You have redeemed my life from destruction.  For all the times You have shown me Your lovingkindness and tender mercies to me (Psalm 103:1-5).  Everything in me blesses Your holy name, for You are the Lord, my Redeemer, who has made all things and made my life to be a testament to Your glory and redemption.  You, O Lord, are my Father; my Redeemer from everlasting is Your name (Isaiah 63:16).  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14)"

-Prayer taken from  The Prayer That Changes Everything by Stormie Omartin