Isaiah 43:1-7 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 43:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 43But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Verse 2When 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. Verse 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Verse 4Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Verse 5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; Verse 6I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth- Verse 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
Devotion
As we read today’s words, we need to remember it has now been nearly 60 years since Jerusalem was destroyed by Babylonian armies. God’s chosen people of Israel must have asked: “Why is this happening? Will we ever get home? Has God forgotten us?” But then in the midst of all these darkened questions came God’s comforting Word of reassurance, calling his covenant people.
I’m reminded of words from a poem:
Sometimes it takes a big Babylonian sky to find that small indescribable wedge of hope…
To hear the Voice that has on spirited wing spoken across the generations…
Sometimes with the bones of the black sticks left when our temple’s fire has gone out
Someone has written something new—gospel “good news” news
Yes, even in the darkened ashes of our lives, whispering:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name;
You are mine.”
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we as your children—all who fear the dark, all who feel exiled, all who feel in many ways, abandoned—pray that you would whisper to us again, this day, in this new year, your Word of reassuring presence—calling us each by name. Amen.