Isaiah 43
I wanted to try something a little different this time around with the blog. I've been doing a series for the past six weeks. The author who wrote the book dissects some of her favorite verses in the Bible, which gave me the idea to break down and share some of my thoughts on my favorite verses.
So today, I chose Isaiah 43:1- 4.
"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you." (MSG)
Reading these four verses puts my heart at peace because God sent his own son, Jesus, to save us, and through him, we are God's children...WE ARE HIS. It goes on to say that when we hit troubled times, we aren't left alone to fend for ourselves because God is walking through that valley with you. He won't allow anything to happen to you because you are his child, and just like a father watches over his children...God does the same. I love how it goes on to say, "That's how much I love you!" God's love for us is immeasurable, and it amazes me that God is willing to drop everything for us and be the thing that we need most, whether it's our source of comfort, our provider, our Savior, our friend, our father, our supporter. God will be what you need him to be because he cares that much.
A pastor I once heard said, Ask God, "How much do you love me?" I challenge you all today to ask God, "How much do you love me?" He'll show you. I see that God has been there for me through EVERYTHING!! If I'm honest, in my toughest moments I may not see God's good hand at work, but if I step back for a little bit, I see God does things because,
1. He's saving me from something that could have been detrimental for me in the long run.
2. He knows what's best for me even if I tell myself, "I know what's better."
3. He cares and loves me that much that he wants me to be happy, have a future, and give me hope.
It's hard to believe all that in those difficult moments, but I can tell you with an honest heart that God is only looking out for you. He's telling you right now that he's got in you whatever circumstance you may be facing. He isn't going to abandon you. He is right there with you, and he loves you, beloved. He wants you to hold tight to him; he doesn't want you to be afraid. Trust him.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you be with the person reading this right now. I thank you for allowing us to understand what your word says to us. I pray that you pour out your love on them and allow them to experience your love. I pray that you remind them that your love for them is unchanging and immeasurable that you only want to give them the best of the best. I pray these things in Jesus' Name...AMEN!