How God Sees Us Series

Redeemed: Looking in Mirror

Isaiah 30:1-18

August 3, 2014

I don’t know about you, but I’m not always to thrilled to take a good look at myself in the mirror. I’m just referring to the outward appearance. I know when I look at myself, I’ve changed over the years. I know . . . we all do. But when I look in the mirror, I don’t see you, I see me. That’s my selfie from two weeks ago, and my reflection of what I look like.

But, aren’t there times when we really don’t like what we see when we look at ourselves. It happens at all ages. Sometimes I want to see something different. So, even though that’s not too bad of a picture, as far as selfies go, sometimes I’d like to see this . . . Ah, yes, me and Brad Pitt. Can’t you see the resemblance? I certainly can . . . not.

Most of us do that. In one way or another we look at ourselves and maybe we remember a younger version of ourselves, just like these photos do. That’s not necessarily bad, it’s a memory of hopefully happy days in the past, but we can’t live in the past. But we can remember them and cherish them and hold onto them. As long as they aren’t the driving force behind what we do and who we are today!

And sometimes we have a view of ourselves like this one, with a broken mirror. We see our reflection and we don’t like it. We see life as broken and we are filled with self loathing and hatred for ourselves and the world. It becomes so very difficult to live life that way. I see people all around who live that way. They don’t like themselves, they don’t like others, they’re always angry. I see it in older adults down to teenagers.

Whenever we watch television we see commercials which remind us that we aren’t good without buying some product. Maybe we need that anti-aging cream, or that cream which smooths your skin, maybe we need a new vitamin, or a new power drink, maybe it’s new glasses, new clothes, new jewelry, a new home, a new sporty car.

We’re reminded that to live life and live to the fullest, we need these things and without them, we are really just a less than kind of person. The world tells us this, and sadly we buy into it. Because you see, this is what we are basing our self image on. Whatever the world tells us, that’s the truth.

We ignore what’s really important. And what is most important is what God thinks about us. I believe we give a lot of lip service to the fact that God loves us and we just kind of go on our way, but the fact that God loves us does not really register. It sounds good, but too often we live our lives in a way which leads us to always look over our shoulders thinking God is going to smite us with that heavenly lightening bolt when we mess up. What makes this so terrible is the fact that God has no desire to strike you with a lightening bolt or even a 2x4. God’s love is so powerful, but we are quick to dismiss it.

And this is what we’re going to be talking about for the next couple of weeks. I know some of you are thinking . . . ugh! Love, this is weak! But let me tell you something when you understand and experience the power, the enormity of God’s strength and desire to demonstrate His love to you, you’ll only see God’s love as something with amazing power.

There’s a story in the book of Isaiah 30. The Israelites have turned from God. They are worshiping false gods, doing their own thing; and now with the Assyrians on their way to attack Israel, they think their refuge and savior is going to be found . . . not in God, but in Egypt. God says don’t do it. If you do it, bad things will happen. Instead, God calls for the people to turn to Him. Listen to the words of God, as He speaks to His people ~

1 “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

2 who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

9 For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord;

10 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,