“But now, God’s Message,
the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,
the One who got you started, Israel:
Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.”
~Isaiah 43:1-4, The Message
I wanted to share this portion of Isaiah chapter 43 with you today. It really encouraged my heart, and I pray it encourages your heart as well. These precious words from the Old Testament apply to us today too. God has sold more than Egypt, Cush, and Seba-He sacrificed His Son to get us back.
This IS how much God loves you.
I pray this encourages you if you are hurting, if you feel unloved, or if you feel overwhelmed by your current circumstances.
I encourage you to take the next several minutes and reflect on the following questions. I would also love to know your answers to the questions or reaction to the verses above in the comment section below. Thank you for spending part of your day with me. Have a blessed weekend, beloved child of God!
For further reflection:
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What is the main thing you learned about God from the verses above?
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Have you found yourself in rough waters or between “a rock and a hard place”? How did God help you?
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Revisit the last 3 lines of the passage. How do these verses make you feel? Are they easy or difficult for you to accept and why?
Amy says
Hi Tracy Girl!
I find these verses powerfully comforting my friend! I hope you’re well today… ~ Love, Amy
Tracy says
Hi Amy~so glad these verses brought you comfort. They are indeed powerful! Have a blessed weekend my friend 🙂
Tj says
Dear Tracy, I think for me in some ways when these verses are first read that it is difficult to really realize that my Lord loves me that much!!! Yet, I do truly know in my heart that had I been the only person that He created that Jesus would have still willingly came here, lived, taught and gave His All just like He has done for all of us His children. So I know beyond all reason that He does not want any of us lost from Him!! Praying for all to realize that He would trade all of creation for each of us!!! So blessed by your sharing!! Love you!!! Continuing to keep all of you in my prayers!!!
Tracy says
Terry-I agree that it is difficult to sometimes realize how much God loves us. It is easy to use our feelings or circumstances (espcially if we deem them to be bad, negative, or painful) as indicators of God’s LACK OF love for us. Scripture is clear that the greatest indicator of God’s love is in what He has GIVEN-namely, His one and only Son, Jesus, to die for us on the cross. I have to continuely look to the cross and not my emotions or circumstances! What a beautiful reminder of God’s unconditional and limitless love for us! Thank you for your continued prayers and support Terry. God bless 🙂