The work of redemption and new creation is something that is not possible except for the omnipotence of God. He alone can re-create and redeem his people.

God's hand is strong and he is good. He will deliver his people, and even the darkest times are times that are in his hands.

He is working. We can rest and wait for him to fulfill everything that he has promised

Unless sins are completely removed, mankind will flee from God, too frightened to come out of hiding. They turn to idols that they pretend they can appease, rather than the living God who sees the heart.

But God has taken away the sins of his people and urges them now to return to him.

This is the ministry of reconciliation. Be reconciled to God!

The God of Jacob formed mankind in his image, to reflect his attributes. Idolatry seeks to form god in the image of man.

God has blotted out our sins. Return to him.

Israel needs the cleansing flood of the Holy Spirit. God will fill them with his spirit, wash them from their sins and again his presence will dwell with his people; and he will be their God.

The Lord is the only one who can deliver us from the bondage of sin and misery, for salvation will take the almighty power of the Creator.

But he delights in showing himself strong. He is destroying the power of death and calling us back into his presence.

Today, on Good Friday, we remember that the creator of heaven and earth was beaten and dragged outside the city gates and crucified. He was mocked and ridiculed and killed by wicked hands.

And the scripture tells us not to be afraid when WE are driven outside the camp. We are outcasts and exiles on this earth, but outside of the city is where we meet Jesus, crucified for us.

Just as God created his people and redeemed them from Egypt, so also he will continue to redeem them from Babylon, and will continue to redeem them from the bondage of sin and death and misery.

In Christ, mankind is re-created and redeemed to glorify God forever.

If God can redeem Israel, who was hardened in blindness and deafness, then he can redeem the whole world. So don't be afraid. He knows how to deliver his people!

The Servant is given as a covenant for the people.

He didn't come to establish a new covenant for us to keep to gain the blessings of the covenant.

Jesus IS the covenant. When we have him, we have all the blessings of the covenant already - light, sight, life, righteousness, peace.

It is a covenant that cannot be broken, for Jesus has already fulfilled it.