According to The Cambridge Dictionary, a “frame of reference is a set of ideas or facts accepted by a person that explains their behavior, opinions or decisions.” Let me draw your attention to three calls issued in Isaiah 44:21-23.

First, there is the call to remember. Isaiah 44:21-22a reads, “Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins.” Hebrews 13:5-6 reads, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ Remember idolatry is infidelity to your relationship with God. Isaiah presents an argument against idolatry in Isaiah 44:9-20. Christian, remember God’s great forgiveness!

Second, there is the call to return. Isaiah 44:22b reads, “Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” This speaks of your repentance toward God. The Lord told five out of seven churches in Asia Minor to repent” (Revelation 2-3), so believers need to repent or else. Like the children of Israel, we have a tendency to turn our back on God and to become backslidden. In his hymn titled “Walking with God,” William Cowper shares the following:

“The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be,
Help me tear it from Thy throne, And worship only Thee.”

Christian, you must be vigilant to withstand infidelity and to stand against idolatry.

Third, there is the call to rejoice. Isaiah 44:23 reads, “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel.” Both heaven and earth are called to rejoice. One day all creation will rejoice. Romans 8:19-23 reads, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” Christian, rejoice in the hope of your redemption from God.

When your life is out of focus, out of fellowship, and out of favor with the Lord, you must follow the divine prescription of remembering, returning and rejoicing. This is the basis of reframing your frame of reference.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.