Isaiah 43:1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. (Ashley), the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 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. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Now there is a promise you can count on! It doesn’t say “if” you go through deep waters or difficulty, it says “when.” There are a few things you can count on in this world and two of them are- trouble will come, and God will provide. These verses show us that God will never let us down. We don’t need to fear anything because He will protect us! I love the part that says “I have called you by name, you are mine” That one little phrase says so much. When my husband and I were engaged and newly married we would often say that to each other. “You are mine, all mine” Just like the little valentine heart candies “be mine.” Its silly, I know, but those little words told me that I belonged, I was desired, loved, and protected.
There are many times in my life when I do not feel like I belong or fit in. I tend to be very awkward in social situations and I'm very insecure about a lot of things. Growing up with the name Ashley made me kind of numb to my own name. I would hear my name being called all over the place; at the mall, at school, at church. It seemed like some little girl named Ashley was always being called. Since I was not usually the most popular Ashley around I found that I was generally not the Ashley who was being called. I remember so many times turning to look when my name was called and then the little feeling of let down- discouragement- when I realized that no one was actually talking to me, they were talking to someone else. I felt invisible.
I'm so glad it is not that way with God. God saying those words tells me that I am loved unfailingly, desired jealously, protected continually, and welcomed and included in His family. I get a sense of safety, acceptance and love. I don't know about you, but I long for acceptance. I just want someone to love me for me and to really get me. That is a desire placed in our hearts by God and it can only be filled by God. God is not speaking in general terms when he says the word you; He means you and me. He calls each of us by name; he loves YOU personally and will be with YOU when you go through difficulty and oppression. All the times when you feel like you are alone, you think God has abandoned you, or that he doesn’t care about what happens in your life- those are the times when you have tired to “fix” things your own way without relying on him. He is not gone, he is just waiting for you to turn and lean on him. Quite often we don’t understand the way he works. We don’t understand what He is doing, but He hasn’t left us alone.
Now there is a promise you can count on! It doesn’t say “if” you go through deep waters or difficulty, it says “when.” There are a few things you can count on in this world and two of them are- trouble will come, and God will provide. These verses show us that God will never let us down. We don’t need to fear anything because He will protect us! I love the part that says “I have called you by name, you are mine” That one little phrase says so much. When my husband and I were engaged and newly married we would often say that to each other. “You are mine, all mine” Just like the little valentine heart candies “be mine.” Its silly, I know, but those little words told me that I belonged, I was desired, loved, and protected.
There are many times in my life when I do not feel like I belong or fit in. I tend to be very awkward in social situations and I'm very insecure about a lot of things. Growing up with the name Ashley made me kind of numb to my own name. I would hear my name being called all over the place; at the mall, at school, at church. It seemed like some little girl named Ashley was always being called. Since I was not usually the most popular Ashley around I found that I was generally not the Ashley who was being called. I remember so many times turning to look when my name was called and then the little feeling of let down- discouragement- when I realized that no one was actually talking to me, they were talking to someone else. I felt invisible.
I'm so glad it is not that way with God. God saying those words tells me that I am loved unfailingly, desired jealously, protected continually, and welcomed and included in His family. I get a sense of safety, acceptance and love. I don't know about you, but I long for acceptance. I just want someone to love me for me and to really get me. That is a desire placed in our hearts by God and it can only be filled by God. God is not speaking in general terms when he says the word you; He means you and me. He calls each of us by name; he loves YOU personally and will be with YOU when you go through difficulty and oppression. All the times when you feel like you are alone, you think God has abandoned you, or that he doesn’t care about what happens in your life- those are the times when you have tired to “fix” things your own way without relying on him. He is not gone, he is just waiting for you to turn and lean on him. Quite often we don’t understand the way he works. We don’t understand what He is doing, but He hasn’t left us alone.