God’s Unchangeable Love For His People
Isaiah 43:1 - 7 (NKJV) 1But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. 5Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; 6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
To many today are fearful in days that we are living in. Threats in almost ever area of the economy: increasing food prices, increasing energy cost, increasing health cost; concerns of the possibility of universal health care being forced on everyone; threats of global concerns of wars, increased terrorism worldwide; and the list goes on.
God has promised through out His Word that His people need not fear. That He is always will us even in the midst of all the trials of life.
Isaiah reminds us in our text of God’s favor and good will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. We are of God’s forming. All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have God for them need not fear who or what can be against them. What are Egypt and Ethiopia, all their lives and treasures, compared with the blood of Christ? True believers are precious in God’s sight; his delight is in them, above any people. Though they went as through fire and water, yet, while they had God with them, they need fear no evil; they should be born up, and brought out. The faithful are encouraged. They were to be assembled from every quarter. And with this pleasing object in view, the prophet again dissuades from anxious fears. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole BibleElectronic Edition STEP Files Copyright © 1998, Parsons Technology, Inc., all rights reserved.
1. Trusting In the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5 - 6 (NKJV) 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
We must decide today, whose report we believe, just like the Children of Israel had to do in Numbers 13:30-33.
Will we listen to and believe in the reports of the world, or will we listen to and believe the eternal Word of God?
In the midst of all the storms of life God promises He will never leave us or forsake us, as we faithfully trust in Him.
To truly trust in the Lord and walk in His Word, we must know His Word.
2. Knowing The Word of the Lord.
In a day with more available access to the Word of God than any generation in the history of the world, far to many believers biblical illiterate from the failure to read and study the Word of God.
Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) 6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
3. Living In The Love of God.
Throughout His Word God reveals His love for mankind.
Rom 5:8 (NKJV) 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:10 (NKJV) 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
In a world that finds human life disposable; God is the only who can redeem us. He alone places a high premium on life; it cost Him the very life of His only begotten Son. Which is the ultimate expression of His love.
As we receive His love, it requires us to share it, to love others in return. We can only truly love others as we receive His love in our lives.
4. Living Free of Fear.
We can only live free of fear when live in the Lord. He is the only one who can give us a fear free life.
1 John 4:18 (NKJV) 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Matt 10:26 - 31 (NKJV) 26Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 27“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
1 Pet 5:7 (NKJV) 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Pet 5:7 (Amplified Bible) 7Casting the whole of your care -- all your anxieties, all your worries, all concerns, once and for all -- on Him; for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.
Conclusion
Isaiah 43: 2,3, 5 (NKJV) 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you…5Fear not, for I am with you…
Oh what hope God offer us today in His unchangeable love For us as we: Trust In Him, Know His Word, Live In His Love, and Live Fear Free.
