Need Some Love This Week?
A Sneak Peek of Something Exciting that's Happening!
While working on a special project this week, I uncovered something that I’ve never seen before in scripture… God says the words, “I love you.”
Isaiah 43 is a personal love letter from God to the Israelites. At this point in history, they’d been living in exile in Babylon for 70 years. Their homes had been destroyed and Jerusalem been left in ruins. For decades they had struggled to assimilate into a new culture. They were living in a foreign land, under another government’s leadership, separated from what had once been their spiritual and physical home. God was no longer dwelling among them. In fact, He had been radio silent.
Seventy years of silence in exile is met with a sudden shout. God was still reigning on high. He hadn’t forgotten about His people. God was going to redeem the Israelites once more. He was going to rescue them from captivity to bring them home to Jerusalem.
In Chapter 43, Isaiah relayed a series of promises from God to His people. In verses 1-7, God says:
“I have redeemed you”
“I have called you by name”
“You are mine”
“I will be with you”
“You are precious in my eyes”
“[You are] honored”
“I love you”
“I give men in return for you”
“I created [you] for my glory”
“I formed and made [you]”
As I read these lines over and over this week, I couldn’t help but weep in awe of the beauty of these words. God’s love oozes from these pages. The God of the very universe was telling a very sinful and disobedient people that He still loved them. He knew them by name. He created them. He was with them. He would rescue them.
While the Bible is written FOR US, not everything in the Bible is written TO US. But the good news is that these very same promises that God gave His people thousands of years ago are still true for us today. He has made a new promise, a new covenant, by sending His son Jesus as our Redeemer. Like God rescued the Israelites out of exile, Jesus rescues and redeems those of us who choose to put our faith and trust in him.
As believers, we too are God’s chosen people. These very same promises are for you. God has redeemed you. He knows you by name. You are His. He will be with you. You are precious in His eyes. You are honored by Him. He loves you. He gave His son for you. He created you for His glory. He created and made you. This love letter written thousands of years ago is also written for you.
At its very core, Isaiah 43 is a love song between an ancient people and their God, a God who lives and loves them in return. Just like the disobedient and sinful people in exile, God still sings songs rejoicing over us today. He lives and He loves us still. Even when it seems like He is silent, He’s still there. He’s still reigning as our God. He knows you by name and hears your prayers.
If you’re feeling like He doesn’t hear you, has left you, or He doesn’t love you, take heart in these verses. Soak in their truth. Sit at His feet. The very Creator of the universe who created and designed you, still loves you and will walk with you today.
“‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When 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.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”
Isaiah 43:1b-3a
Friends, I’m so excited to share more in the weeks ahead about this special project I’m working on! But for now, I’ll leave you with a drafted picture to get your ideas swirling. I can’t wait to share more next week!
