Being fearless in Christ Jesus
"But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you." (Isaiah 43:1-2) In this tender and powerful declaration from the Book of Isaiah, the Lord affirms His sovereign authority and intimate care for His chosen people, grounding the command "Do not fear" in the reality of divine creation, redemption, and personal covenant. The passage begins with reaffirming God’s identity as Creator and Redeemer, emphasizing that Israel belongs entirely to God, not merely by national identity, but through a deeply personal relationship expressed in the words, "I have called you by name: you are mine." This deeply relational language reveals the depth of divine love and commitment, which becomes th...