Isaiah 43: 16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14 We like to hold on to the status quo. We resist change. We lament, “Weren’t things better in the past. Isaiah reminds the Israelites about the steadfast love of God that made a way through the Red Sea when they fled Egypt and kept those chasing them, the Egyptian horses and chariots, back. God not only held the Red Sea back but held back the Egyptians who chased them. Though these were great acts of God they are not to think back or ponder and wish for the good ole days but to anticipate the new thing God is bringing into their lives. It’s happening – springing forth – don’t you perceive – recognize it. God will make a way in the wilderness of their lives, provide water in the drought of their lives, and give drink to his chosen people. One person who considered himself chosen of God was the apostle Paul. In Philippians he tells how he was so confident being born into the right tribe, becoming a Pharisee, and righteously following the law. Bu...

Psalm 32, II Corinthians 5:16-21 The Psalmist in Psalm 32 tells how happy he is since his trespasses/wrongdoings are forgiven and his sin covered over. He tells how awful his life was before he repented and asked forgiveness including groaning and aching bones. Yet when he confessed- admitted his sin to God – then God forgave his sin and removed the guilt which was tearing him apart. This theme of forgiveness comes out in II Corinthians where we are not just forgiven but made a new creation due to being reconciled to God through Christ’s work on the cross. It says that God made Christ the one who knew no sin to be sin – take on all our sin so that in Christ we might become righteous. This reflects the Psalm when it talks about his sin being covered over. Jesus blood on the cross covers all our sins so that we can be reconciled to God. Being reconciled means mending a broken relationship. Due to our sin, our relationship with God was broken. This is the old spoken of. The new is o...