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.”

Hello ACF Family! Our verse of the day is truly a powerhouse statement from the Word of God. Stick with me today as we unpack this verse written by the prophet Isaiah to the nation Israel around 700 BC. It has relevance to believers today because it reveals the character of God, which does not change nor falter. Whenever you come across a gem like this, you should stop to meditate on the truth and the revelation that God is providing within every word.

First off, let’s introduce some context. The preceding chapter, Isaiah 42, calls out Israel’s blindness and deafness which have led God to hand over Israel to the “robber” and “plunderer” in verse 24. Note that this verse and today’s verse, Isaiah 43:1, both mention Jacob and Israel. The Israelites or “house of Jacob” were direct descendants of Jacob who was renamed Israel by God after wrestling with Him in Genesis 32:28. Revelation #1: God knows His servants by name.

So, we’ve established that Israel had strayed from God, and He is disciplining them. Yet God does not forget his promises to Jacob and thus Israel. Verse 43:1 reminds them that God created Jacob to begin with and He formed Israel. Revelation #2: Their existence is God’s doing, not of themselves.

God then calls out to Israel, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you.” God is reminding them His redeeming power is sufficient and that fear during struggles and hardship is replaced by faith in Him. We are all in need of redemption and knowing that we have a loving Father who can redeem any situation is comforting. Revelation #3: God is in the business of redemption and has been since the Fall in the Garden.

The verse ends with this juggernaut statement: “I have called you by name, you are mine.” God reminds Israel that not only did He name them, but He calls them by name. This is a wonderful picture of the love and commitment God has toward His chosen people whom He unashamedly calls His own. As Christians, we are called in this same manner by Jesus in John 10:14-16: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (emphasis added). Revelation #4: We are known by Jesus and identified with Him.

I don’t know about you, but oftentimes my behavior leans towards the goal of achieving. It has served me well in some respects but has also left me with anxiety when I fail. So goes the battle and the outcome when I identify as the one who must make it happen. Failure undermines my confidence and makes me feel less than worthy, which can lead to shame.

And that is exactly where the enemy wants to keep us - at least me anyway. Satan wants us to wallow in our insecurities and so does our flesh. Without Christ, many remain stuck in a constant state of fear and uncertainty. With Christ, when we are tempted to fall into this trap, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit remind us that we have been redeemed, and we are a new creation with a new identity. Our insecurities can reflect a lack of faith in this truth: we are not defined by what we do but by to whom we belong.

Both Romans and Ephesians are great reads if you want to learn more about this identity in Christ. Paul uses the language “in Christ” often to emphasize the treasure of His life in ours and how foundational it is in our walk with Him versus the flesh that continually pulls us into anxiety or pride. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth that is in your Word. Write these truths on my heart so that I will remember them when I allow circumstances to stir up doubt. I know struggles will come in this world because it is broken. Yet you call me into this brokenness with a purpose and light to shine in the darkness. May I never lose sight of that. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen!