... in God's pocket ...

I am reading Isaiah 43:1-5, where God promises redemption and restoration to his people. God, who created us, then redeemed us with a huge ransom (people and countries - and later, Jesus). After God created us, we were lost to sin. He redeemed us because "you are precious in my eyes, and honoured, and I love you." WOW! I am His. He called me by name. He redeemed me at an enormous cost because of His great love for me!

I think of a beautiful gold pocket watch, very valuable, that ends up in a pawn shop, taken from its rightful owner, collecting dust on the shelf. Jesus, the priceless sacrifice, gives His life to redeem the beautiful thing and restore me to the rightful owner, my God who created me. Now I give Him pleasure by being nearby, as a pocket watch gives pleasure by its beauty, craftsmanship, the ticking sound. The watchmaker loves his watch that he made. He knows it intimately, as God does me, and takes deep pleasure in restoring it to himself even at such a great cost.

As I think of myself as the beautiful pocket watch in God's hand, ticking, my face - the watch face - looking up at Him as He gazes with joy on his reclaimed creation, I am moved to tears of joy and love in response. I am just ticking away, resting in His hand, just being me - just being a watch, just steadily keeping time.  All God asks of me is this.

Isaiah 43

1 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,    

       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my eyes,

    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.

5 Fear not, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.