You Are Mine

Isaiah 43:1 “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.”

The prophet Isaiah ministered to the nation of Israel for close to 60 years. It was a time of great struggle politically and spiritually. Many fell away from faithfulness to God because of the difficulty and turmoil in the country. Isaiah spent his time, led by God, encouraging and challenging the people to return to God and trust that He would care for them. The verse above is from one of those times. Isaiah first of all reminds Israel that God had created them. They would not have even existed had He not given them life and breath! He knew everything about them (Psalm 139:13-16). As such, He cared for them deeply. He knew each of their names and made provision for them through the sacrificial system (which pointed to the Messiah) to fellowship with Him. Isaiah concludes this verse with these words, on behalf of the Almighty God: “You are Mine.” These same promises are made to us as Christ followers in this age: He knows us so well that he has numbered every hair on our heads (Matt.10:30). And He calls us His own (Rev.21:3). Because of my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, I know that no matter what occurs, when God looks at me He says, “You are Mine.”

-Pastor Mike