Isaiah 43:1-7
"I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons... and my daughters from the ends of the earth - everyone who is called by my name..."
(ISAIAH 43:6-7)
Friends with seven children told us a classic big-family story. While on vacation they took a lunch break, then headed down the road again. But Dad forgot to take roll call, and sure enough, one young son had been left behind. Everything turned out fine, but you can imagine Dad making the world's quickest U-turn!
God, of course, never overlooks His children. He calls for them with authority, issuing a command that cannot be refused. In Isaiah's day, God called His people home from exile. But the summons goes beyond that: He is calling people from around the globe whom the Holy Spirit is regenerating - those who have been "born again," as Jesus said. These renewed sons and daughters are called by His name. Not one will be lost; every child will be brought into the family.
In verse 3 of our passage, God calls Himself "Savior." This is Jesus who died for us. Verse 4 tells us why: "you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you." Born again, called, loved - what greater security is there?
INSIGHT
THE SAME GOD WHO SPOKE THE UNIVERSE INTO EXISTENCE IS THE ONE WHO SAYS, "I HAVE SUMMONED YOU BY NAME; YOU ARE MINE."
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Lamentations 1-2
Psalm 128
2 Corinthians 9-10
Isaiah 43:1-7
New International Version (NIV)
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Footnotes:
a. Isaiah 43:3 That is, the upper Nile region
WAS ABRAHAM LINCOLN REALLY A CHRISTIAN
There are few people in US history more revered than Abraham Lincoln. Many look to him as a model of faith, but did the 16th president of the United States really have a relationship with Jesus?
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