Our Divine DNA
Nothing can compare to the boundless love of God towards His children. It is a plan of the enemy to make us think that we can sink so low that God cannot reach us, become so lost that God cannot find us or so wretched that God cannot save us. However, the enemy's tactic to discourage and deceive cannot hold up for too long in the psyche of the true believer. At some point in the struggle, he or she will, through the aid of the Holy Spirit, be able to recall the wonderful words of reassurance written aforetime for our admonition.
As we focus on the fact that we have this divine identity, read what Isaiah 43:1, 2 says, “But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.’”
Here, the prophet first establishes the fact that we were created by God. How intentional God is about us, for no one happens in this world as a surprise to Him! That is why before you got here, there was a hospital for you to be born in, a medical staff to ensure your safe delivery, a bed for you to sleep, food for you to eat, teachers at school waiting on your first day and all the way up to today, you did not have to invent anything for your survival.
Second, the same God that creates us also redeems us. Many of us would not waste time with an old car that keeps breaking down if we could afford to purchase a brand-new car. God still has His creative powers to create another, but instead of that, our God says, “I will redeem you.” This means to buy back or pay off and also to restore to the original condition, before the mishap took place. God does not restore us and put us on parole or probation. He puts us back in the position we were before.
Lastly, our journey in this life will take us through some difficult regions—waters, rivers and at times, fire. It’s the ultimate test that is designed to demonstrate our divine DNA. Every car manufacturer puts their model through rigorous testing to determine its worth and warranties. The manufacturers may test on dusty roads, hilly terrain, slippery slopes and deep valleys. The good news is that our worth and warranties are not determined by what we have gone through but rather what we can go through. That’s what being in the image of God means—not only can we go through it, but He is with us. We can thus go forward today with the assurance that God’s plan enfolds us, His power protects us and His presence watches over us.
By Carl Ming, Youth and Young Adult Director
