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
“Why does He say Fear not? Because there are fears within and terrors without, the church is a tumult and a frightened people, beset by fear, despair, and sins. For that reason it has the Word, which is the breath of its life, so that it may be consoled by the Word. ‘…Don’t be afraid. I am with you.’ The opposite appears to be the case: ‘I am far away from you.’ Since the conscience feels that God is very far away from us, it is necessary for Him to say I am with you.” (Luther’s Works 17, 89)
Prayer
Lord, we thank you that in Christ, your Word, you have redeemed us and called us by name. We ask that all may hear and believe your Word, the breath of our life. Amen.