We’re halfway through This Is the Old Testament, our thematic overview of the Old Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish our look at the books of Wisdom Literature and begin the last sections of the Old Testament, the Major and Minor Prophets.
The Book of Isaiah: This book is a record of Isaiah’s prophecies concerning the nation of Judah’s rebellion against God, His coming judgment, and the call for them to repent and turn back to Him. It also includes a promise of restoration and prophecies of a coming Servant King who will bear their sins.
How Isaiah Fits Into the Story: The first part of Isaiah emphasizes sin, the call to repentance, and judgment; the second emphasizes the hope of restoration. Many readers are drawn to Isaiah for the passages describing a future Messiah and those describing the Suffering Servant. But a full reading of the book enriches our understanding of how these prophecies, and more, are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Suffering Servant.
Reflection Questions:
1. List some of the promises God makes in Isaiah 43:1–13. Which ones resonate with you the most? Why do you think that is?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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76 thoughts on "Isaiah"
Reflection Questions:
1. List some of the promises God makes in Isaiah 43:1–13.
Our God has redeemed us, He has called us by our names, we are His.
He will be with us, He is our Lord our God.
We are precious and honored in His sight and He loves us.
Which ones resonate with you the most? That He loves us and He has called us by our names and that we are His.
Why do you think that is?
I think it is so lovely that our God knows us individually enough to call us by our names, He loves us all, and we are His.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Our God knows us!!! He loves us!!! We are His!!!!! ♥️
Reflection Questions:
1. List some of the promises God makes in Isaiah 43:1–13. Which ones resonate with you the most? Why do you think that is? These verses in Isaiah always choked me up. Among these promises in Isaiah 43, the one I resonated the most was “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” This actually happened to me when I was moving across the country with my husband. We were driving on a Toyota Camry towing a Uhaul trailer in the back. Somewhere in Manitoba, the pouring rain hit for days and flooded the roads. About 3 feet of water above ground because the nearby river had overflown. My Camry’s exhaust pipe was completely submerged. If the engine died halfway through, we would be stranded; we were in the middle of nowhere, my phone service was disconnected, and the car was too heavy to push. We were trapped on a single-lane road, surrounded by massive semi-trucks. Our tiny sedan was among the giants. And we had to make it through the deep water and then to higher ground. I was praying through that whole stretch because the trucks before us were moving at a crawl, we had to go so slow, and yet my little car did not stall. My little Cammy went through miraculously. The Lord later brought this verse to my remembrance, “as you walk through the water…”. Reading the Bible is one thing, but experiencing the reality of the flood is another, we face fear. It taught me that while reading gives us knowledge, going through the trial gives us a witness to His faithfulness.
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I will skip question 2 today. Our sister AMBER raised an emotionally heavy question. It was also the same thing on my heart. I thought about this last week but erased all, for it was too painful. But here it is again. If God is good, why do we suffer? the question we humans wrestle with.
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There is a book called “The Problem of Pain” (1940) by CS Lewis, tackling the same question. In this book, he was saying that for love and goodness to be real, free will must exist, and for free will to exist, there must be a stable environment with fixed laws of nature where people can make choices, including choices that hurt others. There is a dilemma of GOD’s omnipotence and human freedom. God cannot create a world where human beings have genuine free will and simultaneously prevent them from ever choosing wrongly. If there is no set laws, there would be no predictability for our actions, and we cannot learn from consequences. Gravity exists, which allows a rock to fall down, whether it lands on a patch of grass or someone’s head. If gravity only worked sometimes, you could never learn to walk. God laid the mathematical principles and foundations of the earth to make it a predictable and stable environment governed by laws. The book of Job has a verse that touches on this, “Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?” Job 38:33. So God has set the physical limits and boundaries for the seas (Job 38:8-11), and established the constellations and the movement of celestial bodies (Job 38:31-33). If fire burns wood, it must also be capable of burning human skin. Now grace doesn’t override physics laws. Grace doesn’t undo gravity. If someone walks off the cliff, gravity will kick in. What is grace? Grace is His unmerited favor that does not contradict His laws, for GOD is just and He is the Author. As sure as the sun will rise, the laws of nature will remain a constant. God is Truth. He doesn’t just happen to tell the truth, He is the standard of truth. He does not contradict His laws. The vast amount of suffering is caused by human’s choices rather than by God. Humans are naturally self-centered, and we inflict pain through greed, cruelty and negligence, and even more so with our ignorance. Hence we must always keep learning from GOD, redemption is a school. CS Lewis mentions this, pain is God’s Megaphone: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Pleasure makes us feel self-sufficient, leading us to forget our need for God. With pain, we are forced to recognize that something is wrong with the world and with ourselves, driving us to seek a reality beyond our current circumstances. In Psalms, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word… It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:67, 71). Now, pain is a megaphone, not a hammer, according to Lewis, he views this as an instrument of mercy and not of cruelty. Pain is not the final destination, just a disruptive signal that forces a pivot. CS Lewis wrote another book called “A grief observed” later. He shared this, grief felt like fear for him in the apparent absence of God, and it distorted his memory. His grief shattered his concept of GOD and of his faith. He realized that faith is not an insurance policy against pain, and that he had treated God as a buffer against tragedy. Maybe we all have.
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Yesterday I learnt something about God that shook me, “love is as strong as death” (Song of Solomon 8:6). I never heard sermons on this. I was so shaken at that new revelation. He is someone else terrifying in this light. His love can survive beyond physical death. Then, who is GOD? Every now and then we wrestle. Do we even know Him? The Bible says God is Love. He is Jesus (the perfect image/ representation of the Father). Jesus came down to die a tragic death, the problem of grief, praise God that it is temporary, for He resurrected. And same with us, we too will live because He lives. GOD doesn’t contradict His laws. The wages of sin is death, and someone must pay for these costly wages. Ignorance is not a bliss. When someone sins, someone else pays. Risks are shared. There is this saying, with much knowledge there is also much grief (Ecclesiastes 1:18). The more we ponder, the more we are weighed down. There is a blessing of NOT knowing all. In the meantime, may we pray, “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely” (Psalm 141:10) until He returns. May we be comforted that God is good, and He can turn evil for good. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Mercy….there is just SO MUCH here….thank you ❤️
Mercy thank you for sharing from CS Lewis’ book. It is a question so many wrestle with and his answer is spot on.
BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to:
MARTHA HIX
SHARON JERSEY GIRL (and Happy Anniversary!)
TRICIA C (and congrats & prayers re: new granddaughter!)
May this next year of life be filled with precious memory making moments! Love y’all! ❤
Thank you Cee Gee! ❤️
Isaiah 43 is very precious to me. I prayed it often during a period of thyroid illness. I substituted my name for Israel and for Jacob. I was so weak that I basically could not function. Many miracles happened in finding the right Dr and treatment. After I was strong enough to return to work, I would pause at the end of the lane to ask God to give me strength for the day. There was never a day that He did not provide. That was 30 years ago. Praise Jesus!
Hey Amber,
My understanding of this passage is that God promises to be with us during those tragic and horrible events. He does not promise that those events won’t happen. Sadly, they do happen because we live in a broken and sinful world.
However, we have a God who promises to be with us during those tragic moments in our lives.
Yes! It is sad that we have to go through some of the things that we go through or that our families go through. All because of sin. We have a promise from God that someday there will be no more tragic and horrible events if we believe in Him. Hallelujah!
I love Isaiah 43:1-5. I think it is one of the most loving and tender passages of God proclaiming His love for not only His chosen people- Israel, but for us who re also His chosen. “I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.” So beautifully said. I am His and He is mine! Praise the Lord!!
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As the chosen ones we are called to a higher standard of living. We are to be kind, compassionate, humble, meek, patient, forbearing and forgiving. This kind of life is only possible with the help & strength of the Holy Spirit who lives in the heart of every believer.
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Oh that I might walk worthy of the life to which I was called. Help me Father to live for you each day and to please you in everything I do.
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Happy Friday She’s! Made it safely to NH although there was some very hairy moments when it was down pouring so hard you couldn’t see a foot in front of you! Thank you for your prayers!
I have redeemed you
I have called you by name
you are mine.
I am the Lord your God,
I love you
I am with you;
I am God
you are my witnesses
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These all declare the intentional relationship- the relationship God planned for and expected to have with His people Israel.
“Israel is God’s servant in the world and also God’s witness to the world.” Warren Wiersbe NKJV Study Bible
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Also from Wiersbe on 43:8-13 ~
“When God forgives and restores His people, He wants them to forget the failures of the past, witness for Him in the present, and claim His promises for the future (vv. 18–21). Why should we remember that which God has forgotten (v. 25)? He forgave the people, not because they brought Him sacrifices—for they had no altar in Babylon—but purely because of His mercy and grace.”
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SONG SHARE:
Phil Wickham – Stand In Awe (Official Lyric Video)
Gotta run!
Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Update on friend of friend: she developed high fever and low oxygen yesterday so no discharge.
Thanks again for the prayers!
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These readings today are Oh So Good! Isaiah can be a tricky read, but gets better every time your read it! Warren Weirsbe has an excellent book on it. It’s imperative to see the rebellion of his people Israel, yet how God loves them and cares for them, and will never leave or forsake them! Yet he will let them learn their lessons the hard way. They are still rebellious today (as we are here), but they will still remain. Little Israel, still remain. Back together since 1948. Back together after the Holocaust nearly tried to extincted them. Jerusalem declared the capital again. They remain, and a remnant of believers will be there after the rapture. As for us gentiles…thank heavens we were grafted in! And Paul follows up on Isaiah. Quoting and telling Jesus is the One! The suffering servant, born to the virgin! Went to the cross…ALL for US!!
And because the Holy Spirit dwells in each that are believers of the faith, we are able to not only have eternal life with him, but be transformed here and have freedom, love, peace, and joy! We walk differently! Hallelujah! We are OVERCOMERS, set apart, made anew! We are not conformed to the world. We are to be the light in the DARK world, a lost world. Lead the blind to see, and the def to hear! Disciple and build others up, and admonish when needed. We are called to be righteous, never perfect, but actively living as called.
Growing and eager to be involved in church and small groups and serving opportunities. If you feel stale, or anxious, or lukewarm…ask God to bring a change. It’s usually saying Yes to something uncomfortable or scary! And speaking up…Yep, God is asking me to step out again in faith and I need ya’ll’s prayers please. I was asked 2 days ago by our pastor to speak tonight at my friend’s Going Home/ Celebration of life service.
Ya’ll know I am terrified to speak in front of people. I have never spoken on a mic. We were co-leaders in our “Enduring Chronic Pain” group, his baby and passion to give others a place to feel seen. I am speaking for our group tonight. It’s only 3 minutes…and I have prepared something to read. Seems so easy, yet my tummy and knees are already feeling weak. I just want to honor him and give God Glory.
Praying for you Rhonda!
May you feel God’s peace when you speak.
Thank you friend!
Praying for you Rhonda that God gives you courage to do a beautiful job this evening. Speaking in public scares me too. May God’s peace be all over you!
Praying, Rhonda, that God will calm your anxiety and steady your emotions as you read your contribution. I am prone to tearing up when I read certain scriptures, writings out loud so I empathize. ❤ I am confident you will be a blessing!
Praying for the spirit of boldness as you step up the mic, anxiety and nervousness be gone. You speak to us all the time about Jesus. You can do it again (imagining it’s us you’re speaking to if it’s easier and familiar). Hugs.
Rhonda, whenever I feel nervous about doing something like that, I say to myself “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”.
Thank you all! All good advice/and prayers!! You all ARE the best indeed!
What an honor to share words. Have prayed.
Those are some deep and serious observations Amber. I am sure I don’t have any answers. I do know we live in a world that is broken and full of evil, hate,sin and destruction. Innocent children die and I struggle with the Holocaust. Why did the Holy One, Blessed Be He; allow this?
God has not abandoned us or forsaken us. He is God and He never lies. If He says that He will never leave or forsake us, then I chose to believe Him.
I read a book many years ago called No Pat Answers by Eugenia Price
On this side of eternity there are no pat answers.
My grandmother,of blessed memory, used to sing a song and sometimes I
hear her in my spirit
We are tossed and driven
on the restless sea of time;
somber skies and howling tempests
oft succeed a bright sunshine;
in that land of perfect day,
when the mists are rolled away,
we will understand it better by and by.
Refrain:
By and by, when the morning comes,
when the saints of God are gathered home,
we’ll tell the story how we’ve overcome,
for we’ll understand it better by and by.
2. We are often destitute
of the things that life demands,
want of food and want of shelter,
thirsty hills and barren lands;
we are trusting in the Lord,
and according to God’s word,
we will understand it better by and by.
(Refrain)
3. Trials dark on every hand,
and we cannot understand
all the ways of God would lead us
to that blessed promised land;
but he guides us with his eye,
and we’ll follow till we die,
for we’ll understand it better by and by.
(Refrain)
4. Temptations, hidden snares
often take us unawares,
and our hearts are made to bleed
for a thoughtless word or deed;
and we wonder why the test
when we try to do our best,
but we’ll understand it better by and by.
I remember that hymn, and you stated it well Tanya. We are in a broken world, and it reminds us that we need a Savior. That life is fragile, and it will be hard. We have been quite spoiled in the Western world in this century…we see life as mostly easy with abundance. But we have to be reminded of the fallen world (which includes nature). It is our JOB to go and tell! And remind everyone we know that God is real, and holding all things in his hands. Nothing is out of his control. That is where trust and faith come in. There is no other way to explain it.
Praise God! I remember that hymn. ❤️
it is he that sits upon the circle of the earth . this is how Columbus knew the earth wasn’t flat!
We don’t have to fear…through rivers and waters and fire, He will always be with us!!! We won’t be overwhelmed, burned, consumed! He says we are precious in His eyes, honkred…How He loved us!!!
Could someone help me understand the tone of Isaiah 43? I think the ultimate point is that God will go to any-length necessary to be with his people and ultimately, rescue us.
The part I struggle with has to do with “waters that will not overwhelm you” and
“flames that will not burn you”. The thing is, at least from the passer-by, the waters did overwhelm those little girls at Bible Camp (Mystic), nearly a year ago. And flames do burn us and definitely did consume martyrs who were roasted alive, for the sake of Jesus.
Is the point that, ultimately, we will not be given away to worst of circumstances because God meets us?
Does it mean that God was with his people who endured and also lost their lives in the Holocaust? Was God really, actually there?
Did God’s presence somehow overcome his people so that the drowning was merely a pass over into his arms? Did Jesus’s come to tangibly walk souls out of flames while their bodies turned to ash?
I understand that God loved us radically, enough to take on the extreme suffering and grief of the cross (the punishment we deserved), but I can’t square away the reality that when floods happen, innocent little girls drown and when fires burn, they can consume martyrs.
I agree with Tanya, Amber. These are hard questions we may never have answers to this side of eternity. But what we do know is – God is faithful, merciful and full of grace. He is compassionate and kind.
I remember when 911 happened and people were asking, “where was God?” An artist had drawn a picture of someone trapped in an elevator (if I remember right) with God standing right there with Him.
As someone already mentioned in another post, God didn’t say “if”, but “when”. And when we do go through our darkest, hardest times, He will be with us. I hope that gives you comfort in knowing. ❤️
I had similar questions when reading, although mine were of the self centered variety. :/ I do feel overwhelmed, and figuratively scorched and burned in the fire of the situation I’m in. I know that feelings are real but not always true, so I’m clinging to promises that God is with me, I am His and I am redeemed. ❤️
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Made me remember 2 Corinthians 4:8, which states: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
yes B! I was thinking of the exact same verse!
I think and have read that when Isaiah was telling this to the suffering Israelites in Babylon, he was speaking in metaphors, poetry. He was reminding them of the promise of God’s presence even when they feel like they are drowning and burning. He won’t let the Israelites be destroyed. I don’t understand why there is so much suffering either and what happened to those poor little girls and their families but I love that Jesus wept with his friends and that God loves me and gave me eternal life. He cares when we suffer and suffered and died for us. You have such a kind heart Amber.
When I read this Amber, i really resonated with the waters won’t overwhelm me. I have anxiety dreams about waters overtaking me, and what’s so funny is my peaceful place is also next to a river. so I read that part metaphorically, and then in the next verse I read it literally! Because (I think) not too long after Isaiah prophesied this shadrach, Meshach, and abendago were literally thrown in the fire and it says
Daniel 3:25-27 NIV
[25] He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” [26] Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, [27] and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
so I like to think they were thinking of this verse and that’s what gave them courage!
Such heavy, hard questions. You do not wrestle alone ❤️
Thank you again to all for the birthday wishes. One year closer to seeing the Lord. haha.
I love this Isaiah reading. God promises to be with us in all of our circumstances, good and bad. We need to remember that. I’m so glad, going through cancer, He was with me. I’m so glad, soon to be celebrating the birth of a granddaughter, He is with me.
No matter the circumstance, HE IS WITH ME! I just have to be willing to trust in Him and let Jesus “take the wheel.”
Happy Friday Sisters!
My daughter is set to be induced on Sunday evening, Father’s day. Please pray for a safe and beautiful delivery. I will be there with her husband. Can’t wait to hold this little girl.
Blessed weekend to you all. I continue to lift our prodigals in prayer.
As we studied in Song of Solomon, God’s love is SO STRONG it can break through any barrier. Amen.
(Heart!)
Happy belated birthday – when was it? Mine was the 16th.
A new grandbaby – how exciting!! Prayers for a safe delivery!
Thank you! It was the 17th. Comes and goes so fast. That’s good for us older people. Haha
Happy birthday to you also, Sharon!
Happy Birthdays!!!!! ❤️
I was 77 June 15th and appreciated all the birthday wishes!!!
✨ Yes I agree!
“No matter the circumstance, HE IS WITH ME! I just have to be willing to trust in Him and let Jesus “take the wheel.” “
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“God’s love is SO STRONG it can break through any barrier. Amen.” “
Great reminders ❤️
I really loved the reading today.
I have been sad and frustrated this week. New medical things come up weekly and I’m tired of the struggle. Along with a daughter who doesn’t want instruction. I thought having teenagers was tough and it is ( I still have 3 of those). Having an adult child being so many things I wasn’t prepared for. Praying she comes back and the Holy Spirit moves in all of us
Praying for you and your family. Deep breaths as you lean into God’s word.
Praying with you!
Have prayed❤️
God has chosen ME! He loves me, protects me, and has redeemed me. Because of this I should love others as He loves me ✝️❤️✝️
We are created for Him, his glory and purpose. Isaiah says WHEN not if. I forget that I am supposed to have struggles and learning seasons to grow into more Christlikenss
The LORD loves us and He will be with us, when we are struggling, feeling overwhelmed in this imperfect world. When we are going through what feels like the worst of the worst, He will walk through it with us and protect us from harm.
No matter how far away we are, He will bring His people, His children together to Him.
Is 43:11 “I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.”
Is 43:12b-13 Says the LORD, “that I am God.
Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?”
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This Is Our God, Phil Wickham (writers, Phil Wickham, Steven Furtick, Joseph Patrick Martin Barrett, Brandon Lake)
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MERCY ❣️”Let’s unpack. ….. Let that be us, fully devoted to the love of God.” Amen and amen! ❤️❤️❤️
FOSTER MAMA ❤️❤️❤️
SHARON JERSEY GIRL ❤️ Happy Anniversary, and safe travels! Meeting In The Air – another much loved hymn in the little country church when I was growing up ❤️
CEE GEE ❤️ “I need to get past ….” Same, sister. Praying for friend of friend’s recovery and needed medical treatment! All while she’s grieving her husband ❤️
LINDA IN NC ❤️
KELLY (NEO) ❤️ rock star birthday tracker ✨
TRICIA C – happy belated birthday! ❤️
Thank you!
Thanks for those prayers, Searching! ❤ I shared a Phil Wickham song, too! ☺
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Amen
I love the reminder to rest in Him & not be afraid! It’s easy for anxious thoughts to rush in as work piles up or plans change at the last minute. May I always submit those thoughts to God & rest knowing He is in control.
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The promises God makes in Isaiah 43:1–13 are for the restoration of Israel.
His promise to be with us through every circumstance ìs a promise that is repeated for those who He has chosen in Jesus. That is comforting to me.
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Isaiah reveals a huge piece of God’s plan to bring redemption to the broken world. The introduction of the Suffering Servant prepared the way to understand Jesus’ mission.
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Hope you all have a great day
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Have a wonderful day Kelly. ❤️
❤️ amen
Amen❤️
God will be with me! He sought me, bought, me, cleansed me, and now has relationship with me! My joy now is to live my life every day for Him!
“He sought me, and bought me..with his redeeming love, He loved me er I knew him, and all my love is due him…” Old Hymn! But can’t remember the name!
Victory in Jesus! I love the messages in hymns!
Victory in Jesus! I haven’t given that hymn a single thought in years, but as soon as I read the lyrics, my heart started singing along❤️
The Getty’s recreated that song! I love it! I taught it to my students and it was a hit. When they sing it, it brings such joy in my heart and tears to my eyes.
Victory in Jesus!
Yes, the melody is a great toe tapper too!!
Amen! “Fear not I will be with you” says our God! ❤️
The promise that I’m called by name makes me feel known, seen, understood and loved. This is one of the deepest longings God has put in all of us and wonderfully He fulfills. Thank you Father God for calling me by name, knowing and loving me.
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All of these reading have made me exhale a little more today.
We do not fear, we are redeemed, called by name, chosen, created for His glory and He is with us.
Father, fill me with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience – I need more of all of these!
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Yes, same. All the scriptures, together, are just so reassuring today. He is holding us, redeeming us, transforming us! Thank you God!
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I am His!!!
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