Perspective: Rejuvenation and Renewal
Perspective:
Rejuvenation and Renewal
By Nelson Thomas Mumbai
While pondering upon the wonder of God’s creation, the Psalmist writes, “You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.” (Psalm 104:30). Decay and destruction are the results of sin. Everything in this world becomes old and fades away (Isa. 40:6). However, God remains the same, and He has a process in place to renew and reform what was marred by sin.
Not only God renews the face of the earth, but He also regenerates and transforms man from the deformity caused by his fall. The Lord taught this truth to Prophet Jeremiah with an illustration. He told the prophet to go to a potter’s house and notice how he makes a vessel.
As the prophet was watching, “the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” (Jeremiah 18:4) Then the Lord told Jeremiah, “Look as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My Hand, O house of Israel!” v. 6.
What a comforting reality it is that we are in the hands of an unchanging God and He is still working on us, in spite of all our imperfections.
Human Impatience
Sad to notice, often man is so impatient with himself and even others. We write off the erring ones immediately and refuse to see any rays of hope in the midst of confusion. We act and speak with a deep sense of hopelessness and finally give up!
Such a response pattern is against the way the Almighty God works among mankind. He is more than willing to rejuvenate and refresh us for the better. In the story of the prodigal son, the Lord Jesus Christ describes the loving heart of God the Father who graciously re-establishes a disturbed relationship and covers the repentant one with new attire (Luke 15:22).
The Saint’s Longing
King David desired for a renewed spirit and restored joy (Psalm 51:10, 12). Indeed, this is the desire of every human being who bears the consequences of their sin.
Later the Lord promised the people of Israel, “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new Spirit within them and take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh...” (Ezekiel 11:19).
In the New Testament, this is exactly what He does through the Lord Jesus Christ. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” (2Corinthians 5:17). “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10).
Notice that it’s not just a repairing work, but through the wonderful working of the Holy Spirit, a penitent sinner who trusts the Lord Jesus Christ is regenerated (Titus 3:5). As spoken by Ezekiel, we have been given a soft heart in the place of a hardened one. (Eze. 36: 26).
Constant Replenishment
After this basic work of God, scripture teaches of ongoing divine work to renew our inner man on a regular basis (Phil. 1:6; 2:13; Romans 12:2; 2Cor. 4:16). By the constant renewal of our heart, we are being transformed to Christlikeness (Rom. 8:29; 1 Cori. 3:18).
Our spiritual development in fact depends upon this progressive transformation through knowledge and understanding (2 Peter 3:18).
God in His sovereign will and wisdom allows various experiences in our life that contribute to this internal makeover. This leads to new strength, new hope, and even a new song (Isa. 40:31; 48:6; Psa. 40:3; Eph. 3: 16, 17).
Dear believer in Christ, do not be discouraged. God has not finished yet with us; He is still working on us. God revived not only David who was fallen, He also revived Elijah who was depressed, Jonah who went astray, Peter who betrayed the Lord, and Mark who was incapable. He can do the same for you as well!
Our Responsibility
We only need to yield to the Lord confessing our sins and failures. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). Without our wholehearted cooperation, the Lord will not bring about any change in us. His invitation is open; it’s up to us to come willingly and be submissive.
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1: 18, 19).
It is also the Lord’s promise that all those who wait upon Him shall experience this renewal to go forward in their spiritual life, in spite of all the adverse circumstances (Isaiah 40:31).
Extended Days
Beloved, as the Lord has allowed us to enter into another New Year, let it be our prayerful efforts to lead a more profitable Christian life ahead.
Forget not the voice of the keeper of the vineyard, “Sir, let it alone this year also…’ (Luke 13: 6 – 9). How grateful we ought to be to the Lord for extending our days. It’s not because we are better than others, but the Master is waiting patiently for appropriate fruits from us.
If not now, when are we going to change? How long shall we lead such a hardened, unfruitful lifestyle?
As we often say, ‘just one life and that will be over too fast’. Let us long for enduring change so that we may not be ashamed at the judgment seat of Christ. It is time for rejuvenation, renovation, and growth. The Lord will do it only if we are willing and give in. (Jeremiah 3: 12 – 15).
(Taken from Grace & Peace e-Periodical Issue No. 195 January 2023)