This Day in History: 0000-09-08

September 8– Isaiah 43: 1-4

…Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, 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.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… Others were given in exchange for you, I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.  You are honored, and I love you.

What sweet and tender words from the Lord to His precious people!  Little has changed since God spoke these words to Israel. This is still how He feels towards those who belong to Him.

Does that encourage you?  Oh, I hope it does, because no matter what we face today we have nothing to fear.  We have been ransomed by the blood of Jesus.  We have been called (Each and every one of us who believe.) by name!  The God of Heaven’s Armies called each of us by name and we are His!

He has promised to stay by our side through every trial, every difficulty this life may throw at us.  We may face situations that threaten to pull us under.  We may feel as if we’re drowning beneath their weight, but God will not allow it.  He will sustain us.

We may face the battle of oppression waged against us by the enemy of our souls.  We may feel as if the fire of these battles will surely burn us up, but the Lord our God, the Holy One of Israel, our Savior will not allow us to be consumed!

Let’s thank God today for His unfailing love.  Let’s thank Him that He chose us, that He knows our names and that He called us.  Let’s thank Him for the confidence we have in knowing He will never leave our side.  Let’s thank Him for the victory we know we’ve already won because He is the One who fights for us.  Let’s rest in His promises today and bask in His love!

As I sit here reading the words of these verses over and over they stir my heart.  I imagine that I can hear my Lord saying them to me, and to you:

“You are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.”