Restoration

The lake resembled a big silvery disc yesterday evening, one shimmering under a celestial blanket of clouds illumined by a spotlight-of-sun from behind. Two elegant white swans paddled from east to west, as well as half-a-dozen ducks - their wakes streaming out in gentle, widening v-shapes.

A pianist played eloquently (on a CD) while Jeremiah spoke to me from the book of Lamentations. There is no comfort away from God’s presence, and in fact, He only multiplies disgrace and mourning in the face of rebellion against Him. But there is hope for the idolaters who leave Him in the dust: His loving devotion and salvation will rescue them from destruction.

His compassions, new every morning, call his people to self-examination and humility. Great is His faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22,23).

Sometimes I’m blessed by a moment of tangible restoration. Renewal defined this moment beside the silvery coin-of-a-lake, with a reminder that deep cleansing (redemption) comes not through water, or the exchange of currency, but the blood of the perfect sacrifice: Jesus.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” I Peter 1:18,19