That special feeling

Israel, the LORD who created you says,
‘Do not be afraid—I will save you.
I have called you by name—you are mine.
When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you;
your troubles will not overwhelm you.
When you pass through fire, you will not be burnt;
the hard trials that come will not hurt you.’ (verses 1,2)

Read Isaiah 43:1-13

Here are five things that should make your feel very special:

God himself made you. Before you were ever born he knew you, and after you were conceived he formed you, uniquely, cell by cell.

When you were alienated from your heavenly father, he put in place a plan to win you back. He gave his Son, Jesus, to die for you so you could be his again.

You are not an insignificant speck in the universe. God knows you personally as well as everything about you. He calls you by name to tell you that you belong to him.

Whatever troubles and disasters you may encounter in life, he will be with you. There is nothing in the world that can separate you from him.

Through all life’s threats you have a special protector, God himself. He and his angels always keep guard over you.

So God made you, he redeemed you, he knows you personally, he is always with you and he protects you. You are special indeed!

Lord, I can only wonder at your love for me that you treat me m such special ways. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘Assurance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)

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