Thurs., 6/11/15 Devotion (Isa. 43:13c)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 43:13c, where we read these words:

" . . . I [the Lord] work, and who will reverse it?"

These are encouraging words (above). A lot of times we might look about us, and think, "God's foes are certainly at work—look at all they are achieving." But there is a huge difference: sinners work hard to establish ungodliness, but it all gets overthrown (in this world, and the one to come). God works, and *no one* can "reverse it."

Let all sincere Christians take heart at this truth. Has the Lord "worked" in our souls? Do we trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of our sins, plus no-thing? If so, God, not *us*, "worked"; and we are redeemed. No one—not even our old flesh nature or the devil—can overturn what the Lord has done in us—all through Jesus.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Luther is bold here, for says he, 'Christ is made sin-damning, our sin is sin-damned.' “ —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]