Episode 27: Isaiah 43:1
Transcription
Today’s verse is Isaiah 43:1
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.
Let’s pray together
LORD, I love this section of Your word because it talks so much about Israel’s failures and how they turned their backs on You. Judgment, just judgment, fell on them. They suffered the consequences of their actions. They had hardships, they had such great suffering. Your chosen people were scattered and fallen. But You did not give up on them.
God, You never give up on Your people. Not all of us are part of Israel, Your chosen nation, but You welcomed all people, all the Gentiles, into Your family through Your Son Jesus. When Israel was in captivity You were still with them and You spoke to them through the prophets. You brought them back to their land and helped them rebuild as they turned their wandering hearts back to You. You redeemed them and told them they were still Your people. And that is what You do for us today.
Jesus, You are our Redeemer. You have claimed us. We are Your children, created by You for Your glory. I’m not sure we view this message in quite the way we should. See, it offends our pride to be considered made for someone else. To be told that we can’t earn or win our own salvation. To understand that no matter what we do, our very breath depends on Your gracious Providence. I am sorry for being offended by this and for turning my back on Your gifts.
Teach me humility, teach me gratitude. Teach me obedience and submission. Such dirty words to our humanity’s ears but such needed words. Not just words, actions, intentionality, lifestyles. This is what we need in our lives if we are to be at peace. We cannot achieve it on our own. We have to be taught to know You, to submit to who You are, our Creator, our LORD, our Redeemer.
Teach me to lose my breath in the wonder that You, so powerful, so creative, so pure and holy, would create someone like me. You did it on purpose. You use me to show a part of You that no one else can reflect. Oh, let me reflect it well. Let me be redeemed so I may reflect it well. I want to be excited about my purpose. I want to be determined to follow Your path.
It’s scary to think of following You entirely, to think of submitting my own will to Yours. I want to wander in the desert, I want to be in captivity in Babylon, I want to worship other gods, I want to earn my way by my religious life. But that’s not how You designed me. You tell me not to be afraid. You tell me that I don’t have to worry. You tell me that I am Yours.
We all want security, we want control, we want safety. Funny how we only get it through surrender. In being called His. In being named by Him as a child of God. In letting Him wash away the sins of our pasts and turning our back on the darkness He’s called us out of. Sometimes that’s the scariest part, the most confusing part. How could God want me after all I’ve done? I know my heart and it feels rotten. I can’t go five minutes without being selfish or greedy or unkind. My pride says that even the God of the universe can’t make me clean. Or that He wouldn’t want to.
Jesus, help us to understand Your sacrifice and Your heart for us. You came on purpose for us. For me. To accomplish the impossible. To satisfy the justice of my sin and to provide the mercy I do not deserve. You have Redeemed me. I am clean. I am Yours. I can hear You calling me. Help me to answer that call. Help me to walk straight forward into Your loving embrace and break my proud heart under the onslaught of Your mercy and grace.
Jesus, this verse does not need to heap shame on us. Your word says there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Our pasts do not define us. Indeed, You loved us and called us good inside the womb. You have never not loved us despite all You knew we would eventually do. Your sacrifice cleansed us and so we do not need to feel guilty, wrong, or ashamed. If you feel guilt piling on you, I pray that Jesus will remove that feeling of weight from you. If you are suffering under the burden of judgment and guilt, stand up and throw it off, Jesus already paid the price. We have sinned, but we are forgiven. Praise God!
Jesus, how wretchedly thankful I am for You. Please help us to accept Your gift of Redeeming love. Please help us to relinquish our pride. Please help us not to be afraid. Please help us to find our way home to You, our Creator, Our Redeemer, the One who truly knows us as we will never otherwise be known.
I pray this in Your name. Amen.
