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. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1, 2 ESV)
My Creator, and Redeemer, knows my name and calls me his own.. He is with me through the storms and through the fires. He has given up so much just to save me from myself. He says that I am precious in His sight, honored, and loved. So do not fear.
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and I am God. (Isaiah 43:10-12 ESV)
A witness proclaims what he has seen and heard. He is a champion of truth, to dispel and destroy lies. I am a witness (noun) – I know and believe and am understanding more and more that the Lord is God and that He is Good! I should witness (verb) more.
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25 ESV)
I have failed so many times. In spite of all of God’s goodness, and blessings, and grace, I still stupidly, stubbornly, illogicaly, choose my way instead of God’s way. Thank you Lord.. by myself I am terribly hopeless.. You are my hope. You are never changing, ever faithful. I can, and I do, put my trust in You. Amen.