I am a big deal!... and so are you!

You are a big deal to God. You are so valuable that Father launched a rescue mission for you. He loves you so much that He gave His Son as a ransom for you. We were born into an opposing kingdom. We were enemies of God. But then Jesus came and took our place. He paid the ransom price for us so we could be restored to God. He rose from the dead so we could have a relationship with our Father again.

You are such a big deal to God that He knows the number of hairs on your head (Lk 12:7). He knit you together in your mother’s womb (Ps 139:13). He knows the intricacies of your person. He knows this for millions of people and yet He knows your name (Isa 43:1). Our God is big. His very words formed the universe. This is the God who holds you in His hands. The same God who holds us close to His heart also measured the waters of the earth in the palm of His hand (Isa 40:11-12). He cares for you and loves you so deeply.

We do not need to fear God will leave us. He will never leave us (Dt 4:31, Ps 9:10). We are a big deal to Him and He is not going to let us get away. He loves us so He is not going to leave us. Even when we think we walk away, He is still there with us (Ps 139). He chose us as His own. He helps us and guides us. When we mess up, he does not throw us away; instead, He stands with us and helps us get back on track (Isa 41:8-10). Once we are in God’s family, that standing does not change. Our fellowship with Him may but our sonship in the family does not change (Lk 15:11-32).

He created the world for you. He created the earth to be inhabited (Isa 45:18). You have a place in this world. When we are tired, worn out and unable to rise, He gives us strength. He calls stars out one by one and does not grow tired:

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:26-31 ESV)

Eagles have this incredible ability to tell when a storm is coming. Instead of wearying themselves by trying to fly against the storm or to fight the storm, they use the wind currents to lift themselves above the storm. They can be resting on the winds of the storm. When we wait on the LORD and a storm comes, He lifts us above the storm. We are still in it, but He is holding us right next to His heart.

If this is what God does for a bird, imagine what He does for his children! In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said He takes care of the birds and makes sure they have enough food even though they do not plant. He dresses the fields with flowers. The flowers do not sew their clothes out of fallen leaves or grass. Instead, God provides their “clothes” and beauty for them. He cares for us so much more than birds and flowers! We do not need to worry about our needs. Our Father knows what they are and He longs to meet those for us (Mat 6:25-34).

Promises through Rest

In Isaiah 58 God talks about the kind of fast he desires: feeding the hungry, freeing the oppressed, taking care of the poor. In other words, the kind of fast God desires is a fast from self. God then gives a promise to those who choose this kind of fast:

“And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:11-14 ESV)

That first sentence is a great promise—“I will satisfy your desire in scorched places...” In a place of desolation, I will satisfy your desires. I will make you an oasis in the midst of brokenness. An oasis was a place of rest from the desert. Before this can happen though, God needs to rebuild what we thought was lost. He needs to raise up the foundations that crumbled and restore the ruins that were forgotten years ago. He wants to restore dreams and bring healing to the hurt places of our hearts.

As God begins this process we will begin to be known as a “repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” In other words, as we are restored, God uses us to bring restoration in others so they in turn can bring restoration to others. This is true revenge against the devil. As we are healed in one area, we have special authority over it. We have a testimony. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they have conquered him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” When we receive freedom, we get to go to others who are hurting in that area and we can tell them our story of redemption and walk with them through their story of redemption.

God promises insteads. Isaiah 61 gives a good list of instead. Instead of ashes, a beautiful headdress. Instead of mourning, gladness. Instead of a faint spirit, a garment of praise. Instead of shame, a double portion and everlasting joy. Where you were hurt, God wants to bring restoration and freedom. It does not mean the memory goes away but it does mean you are no longer controlled by the memory.

Rest is a big part of restoration. God created a Sabbath for a reason. When we take time to rest and be restored, we can quiet our hearts and can readjust where needed. We can find joy despite our circumstances. We can hear God’s voice and follow his direction. We can take delight in the LORD. He loves it when His people spend time with Him. He wants to show us off to the world. When kings took over a land, they would ride on the heights of that land. It was a thing of honor. They would inspect the land as well as display their power for the conquered lands. The Father wants to give us an inheritance. All we need to do is accept it. He is offering it to us through Jesus. Jesus is the Way to the Father and He longs to know you and tell you how much He loves you. It does not matter what you have done. He will always accept you. He will always bring restoration to His people. He is just waiting for us to come to Him.