This morning I read about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
Isaiah wrote about our Lord’s death 700 plus years before He died, and that He has the power to save us from our sins and rebellion towards God. Did Isaiah make this up, or did he receive it from God? Did it happen just like described? And, did He save me from my rebellion? Have I been forgiven of my sins? This is what I am most thankful for! What a Savior He is!
What Isaiah wrote about my Savior’s death, and what it means to me is this:
On the day that You died many were amazed when they saw You. Your face was so disfigured that You seemed hardly human, and from Your appearance, one would scarcely know You were a man. You were despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. Yet it was my weaknesses You carried; it was my sorrows that weighed You down. You were pierced for my rebellion, and crushed for my sins. You were beaten so I could be whole. You were whipped so I could be healed. You had my sins laid upon You. You were oppressed and treated harshly, yet You never said a word. You were led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers, you did not open Your mouth. You were unjustly condemned, and no one cared that You died without descendants, or that Your life was cut short in midstream. You were struck down for my rebellion. You had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. You were buried like a criminal, but put in a rich man’s grave. Your life was made as the acceptable offering for my sin, and for the sin of the world. When You see all that is accomplished by what You suffered, You will be satisfied. Because of Your experience, I can be counted righteous. I believe that You died in my place. You took all my sins upon You at the cross, and I am forgiven and healed by You.
Lord, Your grace is free and undeserved; even though I am forgiven, I am simply a faulty man thankful for Your amazing grace. Because of Your unfailing love, I can enter Your presence with deepest awe, and without fear of death. You have filled me with Your Spirit so that I know that You will lead me on the right path all through my life. You surround me with Your shield of love.
THANK YOU LORD!