Isaiah 43:1-2 - But
now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I
have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great
trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will
not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned
up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah throws the word ‘but’ in his opening sentence so we
are sure to see the comparison to many of the harsh words God gave him to speak
before these sentences. Chapter after
chapter… Isaiah was given harsh words ….words that told the people what would
happen if they kept going in the wrong direction. “But” ….God gave Isaiah sweet loving words to start
this chapter….words that reminded his people of his gentle mercy …his love …his
protection.
It reminds me that we simply cannot lose if we pick God to
be on our team. He has already chosen us.
He even knew our name even before our parents picked it out for us. As long as
I keep my eyes…my ears…my heart...completely focused on him …nothing can
destroy me. There will never be a ‘bad thing’ in my life completely consume me
if I trust this promise of God. He will hold my hand through anything he asks
me to endure…he will equip me with all I need to stand in victory over everything
I think is bad in my life.
The reason he does that for us is recorded just a bit
further in verse 18…you read that even though God had done great miracles in
their life…he had even more planned in the future. That tells me that God is
not through with me if he woke me up this morning. He has work for me do…and miracles to perform
that are so great and mighty my eyes and ears and heart will be humbled and
amazed.
Jeremiah 29:11 gives us the same promise. It says… “For I know the plans I have for
you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to
give you a future and a hope.” Sin might
have separated me from God for a time…but God doesn’t want it to end that way…he
wants me to wake every morning….tell him I am sorry for any sin that has
distanced our relationship…and reclaim the promise of his mercy and love so we
can see the new miracles he has planned for our good.
Thank you father for reminding me that I can never lose
you. Thank you for choosing me…giving me
a special name…and a special purpose.
Thank you for walking through the valleys of sadness with me…and helping
me to recognize the sin that kept me from seeing you in all your glory. Forgive me for all the years that I sat in
ignorance and let bitterness blind me even more. Help me to keep your name so embedded in my
heart that you don’t have to work so hard to keep me focused. Let my love and
passion to serve you grow and give me stronger faith and trust in the good
future you have planned for me. Amen.
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