What the One Who Formed You Says...

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you... you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you..." Isaiah 43:1-5

Life has been a little crazy lately. Actually, that's not really the half of it! I have felt stretched beyond belief, weary in ways I never knew possible, fearful of the future. Life is a series of changes, I know, but lately I just long for things to be still - to calm down, if only for a moment. I find myself looking for perspective, to find some way to make sense out of confusion... I feel like I'm flying blind, moving forward at warp speed but navigation is offline, so I wait for the inevitable crash...

But it doesn't come. The crash does not come, because in spite of what I FEEL, life is not out of control because my Father has promised to be with me. I may say things are a mess, but here is what HE says:
"Do not be afraid."
"I have called you by name."
"You are mine."
"I will be with you."
"You will not drown."
"You will not be burned up."
"You are precious to me."
"I love you."
"I am with you."

I am so encouraged to know that the same God who formed Israel also formed me; that the same God who said to His children in times past, "I love you," says the same to me today.

Maybe you can relate to how I've been feeling. Maybe life seems to you a confusing mess. Be encouraged today that the God who formed you has promised to be with you. Enjoy a little rest in His strong arms today.

"You are precious..."

...Just a thought...