December 23, Being Known by Faithful God

Isaiah 43:1-3a  But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”   (ESV)

Promise:  God promises to redeem me, be with me and not let circumstances overwhelm or consumed me.

Why is it important to know this promise?

God’s character is revealed: He is Redeemer, Savior, Creator, Possessive, Personal, Faithful, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Sovereign and Holy.

Promise provides me with:  assurance that God knows me completely, assurance that God is always with me, that He watches over me and will not let life’s circumstances overwhelm or defeat me, knowledge that He knows me by name and that I am important to Him and assurance that I am redeemed from my sins though Jesus’s work on the cross.

        These words were first given to the children of Israel to encourage them as they were facing exile in Babylon for their idolatrous behavior.  God was assuring them that He loved them and would bring them back to their land.  The promises given here from our faithful God are available to believers today.  God loves and knows us by name,  redeems and promises to be with us each day. God’s promises to those who love Him do not change. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”   I find great comfort in knowing that God knows me so well and that I can depend upon Him to be with me no matter what the circumstances.  Matthew 28:20b reconfirms this in Jesus’ own words, “And behold, I am with you always, to then end of the age.”   So take heart today and call upon God’s loving character and presence to help you to face the circumstances of your life with full assurance that Jesus is with you.

Be assured of God’s faithfulness today,

Linda