our image

Sometimes it is hard, knowing that God is making us over into His image, and seeing that we are still in our own. We become disappointed in ourselves. At times like this we are tempted to strive after a better image than the one we see. But it is only His power in us that can accomplish His image in us.


In Isaiah chapter 40 we read about a contrast between God and Man, and between God’s rulership and Man’s. Though the Lord details how much higher His ways are than Man’s, His purpose in relating our differences isn’t to make us feel inferior. God’s intention is to show Man that it is His divine choice to love us. We need never look at our own image and despair, for He is at work in us, on our behalf, and out of His choice to love us.

In speaking about His rulership, the Lord says, “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” (Is 40:11). God does not despise our weaknesses, nor our inexperience. He both leads and carries us close to His heart.

When we are frustrated with our own image we can try to improve it, or we can trust in God’s work in us. He is ready to give strength to the weary and power to the weak, and great endurance to all who hope in Him (Is 40:29-31). In fact, God’s love for us causes Him to be faithful to us. When Moses stood on Mt Sinai the Lord said about Himself that He was compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness . . . and forgiving (Ex 34:5-7). Finding faults within ourselves daily will vex us, and we will miss the fact that God, in His faithfulness, is working for our good. He knows we are weak and that we fail at times, but He trusts in His nature, not ours. God trusts in His ability to see us through to His image. He does not trust in our strivings to make ourselves into His image.

Today, if you find yourself disappointed with yourself, do not despair. Your image is daily in the hands of One who can be trusted to be faithful, on your behalf. Do not strive after a better image, for He is working on your behalf and will not forsake you. Amen.