Isaiah 43:1-2 “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
We are walking into a new year. For many people, 2019 was brutal! Lots of hurt, lots of loss, and crushing disappointments tormented many people. Some faced continual financial hardships and the frustrations that resulted. And now we are entering a new year, wondering if anything is ever going to improve. Above everything else, we need hope.
When Isaiah was writing the words quoted above, he was writing to believers who were watching their country deteriorate. Good King Hezekiah was in power for much of Isaiah’s ministry; however, later Hezekiah’s wicked son King Manasseh killed Isaiah. Even during the time of Hezekiah, all was not well in Judah. People had begun to take God’s blessings for granted, as though they deserved them; meanwhile, it was only because of God’s love and mercy that He did not reject them. But God always has a remnant and Isaiah was called to encourage those who remained faithful.
Today, allow God to speak these words into your heart! Memorize them. Print these words up and post them on your mirror, on your refrigerator, wherever you might see them during the day. Look at these verses: God commands us not to fear or be afraid. God is our Creator, God formed us in the womb. God knows everything about us. No, God is not promising to carry us around on a silken pillow! We are going to go through floods and fires. But God promises that He WILL be there with us and that we will not be overwhelmed or burned.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your sure promises! Thank you that you are going to be with us, no matter what we have to go through. And thank you that you are going to bring us out of our troubles. We thank you and praise you and bless you, now and forever. Amen.
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