Rescued, Restored, And Renewed

Psalm 113:7 – He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. (NLT)

I have always loved scissors. A friend was getting rid of an old, heavy pair, but I couldn't bear the thought of the vintage scissors going into the garbage, so I brought them home. They were dull, but I reasoned that they would at least be handy to cut plastic and heavy cardboard. The scissors remained in our drawer, being semi-useful, until one day my husband lost his patience, and threw them out. Again, I rescued them. Some years later, a volunteer at The Lending Cupboard, where Terry volunteers, offered to sharpen anyone's scissors. We jumped at the chance. Now, with brand-new sharp edges on their blades, our made-in-Italy scissors are as good as new. They cut wonderfully, even fabric. I was thrilled to have their original usefulness restored.

Psalm 40:1-2 – I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (NLT)

Our spiritual life goes one step further than the story of the scissors. The scissors couldn't call out, but God heard our cry of despair and rescued us from the garbage dump of spiritual death. Although the scissors were sharpened and restored to optimum function, they weren't made totally new. However, when we first came to Jesus, He brought us new life. We were born again, and in the spiritual realm, all things were made new. Unlike the brief process of sharpening scissors, though, God's restoring process after we are born again takes place gradually over a lifetime.

Jeremiah 1:5a – I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. (NLT)

God wants to restores us to our true selves, the original state that He planned for us, for our optimum function. God knew us even before we were conceived. He knows what we can become.

God not only restores us, but He also renews us through His indwelling Holy Spirit, giving us a fresh start. He teaches us continually, bringing to mind Jesus' words. Let's cooperate with this process by diligently studying God's Word, even memorizing it. Let's use this foundation to keep on a steady, forward path.

God's rescue and restoration doesn't apply only to the first time when we drew near to Him. We can approach Him anytime, and ask for His intervention in unmanageable situations. As we cooperate with Him, God rescues us from travelling down paths that are contrary to our best interests, and He guides and directs us along right paths, bringing honour to His name.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for rescuing us, restoring us, and renewing our lives. Help us to cooperate with Your renewing and restoring process. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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