The Old Made New

Read Psalm 103:8-14

One day, Chris went with his grandpa to an automobile museum. “Aren’t these old cars funny looking, Grandpa?” said Chris.

Grandpa smiled. “Well,” he said, “they were mighty stylish in their day, you know.” He pointed to one of the cars. “There’s one like my father drove when I was about your age. It came in any color you wanted, as long as it was black.”

Chris laughed at the older man’s joke. “I know these cars are old, but some of them look brand-new!” he exclaimed, peering through the window of one of the cars. “This one doesn’t look like it’s ever been out of this building.”

“Oh, but it has,” said Grandpa. “It’s very old, but it’s been restored. Worn-out parts have been replaced, and the old paint has been removed and replaced with bright, shiny, new paint. See inside? That velveteen upholstery on the seats is new fabric that’s specifically made to match the original fabric that was on these seats the day it left the factory showroom!”

“Cool,” said Chris. “Gramps, maybe you and I should save up and buy an old car and work on restoring it.”

“That would be fun,” agreed Grandpa. “Restoration seems like a worthwhile hobby. After all, restoration is what Jesus does for us. He restores our souls.”

“Jesus doesn’t make us look different,” said Chris.

“Well,” said Grandpa, “we might wear a smile instead of a scowl when we’re restored. But I was thinking about how he changes us inside—how he takes all our sin away when we confess it to him, and he makes us clean again. I guess you could call him the divine Restorer.”

How about you?

Do you need to be restored? When you’re sorry for your sin and confess it, God will restore you and make your heart clean again.

Memorize:

“He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3, NIV