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July 26th
Our bible reading today is in Isaiah chapters 40-43. The podcast will come primarily from chapter 43, a powerful old testament “gospel message” preached to Judah and yes...to us too... every day in Christ.
God saved Judah from the Assyrians. But He still planned on disciplining rebellious Judah. The same thing can be said of His children after the cross. Our Father disciplines us when we rebel. This time He would use Babylon to draw Judah back to Himself.
But in preparation of said judgment, God speaks to them as “Their Creator”. God had a special claim on Judah because He made them. The same thing applies to us, fellow Christians. He has created us and rejoices in all that He made. When we fail to love Him, we are failing at the very basic level of our existence.
But there was a better reason for Judah to respond positively in faith to God. And God said it...“I have redeemed you...” God bought Judah out of physical slavery and spiritual bondage as displayed in the Exodus.
But Judah owed their soul’s salvation to a blood promise that God made to their father Abraham, that looked forward to the perfect blood promise paid by Jesus on the cross. Awesome. Abraham was good but Jesus was better. And all of us who believe Him, hears His voice when He says...” I made you...and I have redeemed you...” You are twice mine!
The same way that God had ownership of Judah, He has ownership of us who believe. And it’s personal. He says in today’s text, “You are mine.” Think about it, friends. We belong to Jesus the Creator and the Savior. He loves us. He all powerfully protects us, holds us, guards, and cares for us. Isn't that wonderful? We don't have to stay afraid of anyone or anything now that we are His.
It gets better. Listen to the gospel of God through Isaiah...“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush, and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, Fear not, for I am with you.”
