May 19 – Called To Be His

“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.”  - Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)

The nation and people of Israel were precious to the heart of God.  God had chosen them purely on the basis of His will and not because of anything they had done to deserve it. Promises were given to Abraham, then Isaac and then Jacob/Israel.  It was Jacob, the deceiver who wrestled with the Angel of God and became Israel, the Prince with God.  God uses both names when he speaks through the prophet Isaiah to the nation.  The promise out of this verse is ours as well. We have been called by God, chosen by Him on the basis of His will alone to believe.  We are comforted these days by the words “Fear not.”  We never need to be afraid because we have been redeemed by God who has called us also by name and put his claim of ownership upon us. God says to us today just as he said to the nation through Isaiah, “You are mine.”  If we believe and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have been freed from the consequences of our sin, we belong to God. We are His and He will take care of us forever in all circumstances - Hallelujah! 

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December 22

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[a] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 (NIV)

When the wise men came to Jerusalem to ask where the King of the Jews had been born, King Herod called together those who would know. Those who had studied the prophets replied that it would be in Bethlehem and quoted from the prophet Micah. So Herod gave the wise men directions to Bethlehem. But we notice that nobody read for Herod the last part of the prophecy, very significant words. They tell us that Jesus came from eternity. The word that Micah used translated in our verse as “from ancient times” meant “from time out of mind” – from eternity. 

June 27

“This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’”  Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)

We read this verse because the offer that God made to His people is still true. The people then did not take advantage of it and they suffered for their neglect. But we do not need to follow their example. Let us think especially of the words: “in quietness and trust is your strength.” I hope that you have found this to be true in your life. When we face problems and things we don’t understand, we need to remember that God is ready to help us. Let us not try to work things out on our own. Let us put our trust in God and depend on Him.

April 24

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”  Joshua 21:45 (NIV)

We need to be reminded of the faithfulness of our God in keeping all His promises. Joshua mad this statement after the people of Israel had taken possession of the promised land and the land had been parceled out among the families. Joshua had been their leader but he recognized that it was God who had planned it and enabled them to do it. God had fulfilled every single promise to them. He has made promises to each of us, too – many of them. He’ll keep His word to us as He did to Israel. Just think of some of promises God has given to you.