You Can Write A Different Story Of Your Life

YOU CAN WRITE A DIFFERENT STORY OF YOUR LIFE IN 2010

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-11

Randy Bataanon

The Living Word Christian Church in Kuwait

2009 was a history of suffering and disaster for many of us. The world went through recession. Swine flu hit the world. Many countries including Philippines have been hit by calamities such as super typhoons. Many of us lost our jobs. Many of our salaries were cut. Price of items went double. Our suffering may be the result of our own failures and a mistake that’s why we did not obtained God’s favor. Now question came to our mind; is there any good things coming for the year 2010? The writer of Psalms has the answer.

Psalm 30:5 His anger lasts only a moment, his goodness for a lifetime. Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Yes there is hope for a brand new year. We can write an entirely different story of our lives in 2010. God is a forgiving God if we’ll just repent. The Year 2009 may be the night of weeping for many of us. But joy may come and 2010 may be the year of joy if we’ll just find God’s favor again in our lives.

In our scripture reading today from Isaiah chapter 61, the text is about the liberation of Israel from the years of captivity in Babylon. God speak to them through prophet Isaiah and assured them about the coming redemption and restoration which will result to rejoicing of His people. More than that, the promise talks also about the time of the coming of Messiah who is our savior Jesus Christ which will usher us to the year of grace, the year of renewal and year of celebration because of God’s favor for all.

Indeed, we can change the course of time for this year. We can obtain God’s favor in 2010 if we’ll just understand how to AQUIRED, COLLECT and TAKE it. (ACT)

1. ACQUIRED IT THROUGH REDEMPTION (VS 1-3)

a. Redemption from bondages v1

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

A new story of our lives is possible because of what Jesus Christ did in the Calvary 2000 years ago. This year is a time of grace. God has already redeemed us from our captivity in sin. However, many of us don’t now about this good news of redemption. We don’t need to remain poor, broken hearted and prisoners of sin. We have to live up the new life that God has given us. In fact, the bible said in 2Cor. 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

b. Redemption from shame v2

Isa 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

Today is the year of God’s favor and grace. We can say goodbye to shame and fear. Our old life which is full of failures and mistakes brought us shame and disgrace. But this year is a different story if we’ll just grab the opportunity of God’s grace. We can repent from our sin and receive God’s forgiveness. The Year of the Lord’s Favor in Hebrew language means a general amnesty wherein they can obtain a great favor from God and people. In fact, they forgive debts of their neighbors during those years. We can also obtain God’s mercy in 2010. Repent and decide to live a new life in Christ.

c. Redemption from corruption v3

Isa 61:3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

The above verse talks about the 70 years captivity of Israel in Babylon wherein they literally put ashes on their head as sign of mourning. Those who captivated them required a song from them but they answered; Psa 137:4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?

Indeed, captivity brought corruption in our lives. Living under the bondage of vices and sin make us looking old and steal our happiness and joy. However, when God transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, our countenance will shine out the glory of God. It produces fresh smiles on our faces as the light of hope shine in our heart.