Redeemed in Christ!

January 9, 2011

Lesson: Isaiah 44:21–23

Key Verse: Isaiah 44:22

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Introduction

The Gospel of our Lord and Savior is being preached in every nation, congregations belonging to Christ being discipled in the glorious Word of God. The hearing of the people of God has to be first tuned to the Word of God. Though the Word before us was first written to God’s Israel in the time of Isaiah, it is a Word to His people today. In the first few verses of Isaiah 44, we are told that God’s servant Jacob must hear, “and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee … For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty … I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessings upon thine offspring” (44:1–4).

Though the sins of His people are bringing affliction to their lives, “God is never so angry with His Church as not to leave some room for mercy… The consequence is that the prophets, whenever they threaten, always add some consolation as an abatement” (John Calvin). We have God’s prophetic, infallible Word with us, and we should heed His warnings and know His grace. Grace, however, comes to those whom God has chosen to be His servants; “for we do not serve God, because we are entitled to it, or deserve it, but because he renders us fit by a free election. …election comes first in order, and therefore David says that he was God’s ‘servant’ before he was born, because even from his mother’s womb he had been received into God’s family” (Calvin).

We have been united into a congregation saved by the grace of God, meeting together to express our love for God in our service and worship. We have been chosen to be His congregation, the Body of Christ, that we may know His love and mercy, and thereby moved to obedience and love. Therefore, it is the Lord Jehovah who alone is our salvation, who calls His people to repentance, even the nations who must hear the Word of their King.

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Thou Art!—Isaiah 44:21

We must remember that it is not God, but the world around us, that deceives us into following another savior, to preach another gospel. Whether it is the babbling of psychology or the political correctness of the false prophets, man carves his own god to worship and ask, “Deliver me; for thou art my god” (Isa, 44:17). Is there an authority beside Jehovah? Shall we, too, fall down before the stock of a tree (44:19)? Shall we feed upon the ashes of the promises of government or courts that set their own standards of morality?

We must remember that men are fashioning their gods after images that are “profitable for nothing” (44:10). Remember what God is teaching us, how to discern good from evil. Remember this, “O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me” (44:21).

Jacob God has loved, unconditionally; He has shown mercy out of His good pleasure. God has chosen Israel; He has kept His covenant to be their God, and they His people. Abraham was accepted as righteous because of his faith, for by grace are we saved through faith, a gift of God. In Adam we have all sinned, transgressed the law of God; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death. In Christ we have received forgiveness of our sins, for He took upon Himself our guilt and paid the penalty. In Christ we have an abundant life, for we are clothed with His righteousness.

Therefore, we see the Church as God has formed her, to be His servant. He will redeem His Israel, His congregation of His redeemed, for He has chosen for Himself a people, and they will not be forgotten by Him. Do not forget God, for He has not forgotten you.

Discussion: What is our position or relationship to God?

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I Have!—Isaiah 44:22

Where is our boasting? Shall the clay say to the potter, I have no need of you? Has our independent spirit said, we have chosen Thee, and therefore Thou shall bless us? Why does God continue to forgive us as we continually deny Him through our disobedience? The Lord says, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.”

Why do we return, day after day, in repentance, expecting that He who is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins? Is it not because He has redeemed us? Has He not redeemed us “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19)? Our Father has placed a thick cloud between us and our sins, that they may not claim us, but that He may claim us in Christ. Therefore, there is no reason for us not to return to God, who is the salvation of our souls. God has done this; will you not return to Him at this very moment?

Discussion: Who is it that calls us to repentance and faith?

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Sing!—Isaiah 44:23

We come across the names of Jacob and Israel. Jacob reminds us of the words of God, “Jacob I have loved” (Rom. 9:13). In the same manner has God loved His chosen people, the body of His Son, the Church (His blessed congregation). He loves us personally (Gal. 2:20), and corporately (Eph. 5:25–27). Israel should remind us that God has kept His covenant to His chosen people, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9–10).

Surely we have a reason to sing; “for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.” We can only sing, along with the heavens, when Christ, our King and Savior, is glorified in His church. We can only break forth in singing, along with His creation, when we know that He is our Creator and Lord. Much worship today is a celebration to lift us up, rather than a celebration to lift up the person, and therefore, the glory of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For He is our salvation!

Discussion: How does Psalm 126 help us sing of what has spoken to us in Isaiah?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2010 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.