YOU ARE MINE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “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.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Life has problems. The prophet Isaiah talked about going through deep waters, rivers of difficulty, and fire. I picture “deep waters” as times when life makes us feel like we are drowning. Times when there is so much going on we can’t seem to get a moment to rest and be restored. The “rivers of difficulty” seem to be times when life is just out of control. Just recently Cindy and I rafted down the Royal Gorge in Colorado. There were a few times our raft was totally at the mercy of the rapids, and we had to fight really hard to keep the raft right side up. We were bouncing into rocks and almost flipped over. Sometimes in life it seems that problems come flying at us from every direction—sickness, financial challenges, relational issues, and emotional stress. In these difficult times Isaiah reminded them to “not be afraid.” Then Isaiah gives us why we don’t have to be afraid. First, we should remind ourselves we have been created and formed by God. We are not an accident we have a purpose on this earth. Secondly, we have been redeemed by Almighty God. We were once slaves to sin and rebellion but through Jesus we have been set free from sin and forgiven. Third, we have been “called by name.” God knows our name. He is intimately aware of everything about our lives. We should rejoice that we are known by God. He not only knows our name in the New Testament we learn that God counts the hairs on our head. That is how much God knows about us.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit remind me today of how important I am to God. Help me to lean into Your strength and protection during my difficult moments.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”