Fear Not

Isaiah 43:1-2 - " But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;  I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers,  they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,  you will not be burned;  the flames will not set you ablaze"

Many times in God's scripture he tells us not to fear. Here he gives four reasons. He has redeem us; He knows our name; we are His; He is with us; and he will protect us. Since he has redeemed us, we are his. Since we are his, no other person or thing has any rights on us, no power over us. He knows our name. This means he know us. He knows our thoughts, desires, and feelings. He understands us completely. He is with us. We are never alone nor forgotten by him. He is fully aware of where you are at all times. You are never out of his sight. Finally we are protected. He never promised that there wouldn't hard times or troubles, but he has promised to deliver us from them all.

When he says we will pass through the rivers and they will not sweep us away, I think of the people of Israel walking on dry ground through the Red Sea and Jordan river. When he talks of the fire not harming us, I think of Shadrac, Mishac, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.

Be encouraged this day.