I Have Summoned You By Name

When I graduated from Bible College, I was asked to read a passage of Scripture for the graduation ceremony. This is the passage I chose:

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

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.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour."

Isaiah 43:1b-3

As a child of God, you need not ever fear, because God has purchased you with the precious blood of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. God, who is the mighty and everlasting King, has summoned you by name. He knows you! He knows your name. In fact God knew you before you were ever born. You are of utmost importance to Him and a valuable part of His Kingdom. God had His eyes on you from the very beginning, and He has a perfect plan for you that lasts until the moment you take your last breath.

You belong to God. You are the King's son or daughter. God loves you despite all your flaws because He sees His Son Jesus in you!

If you pass through high waters, God promises to be with you. You will not drown. If you pass through the rivers, the torrential currents will not force you under, nor disable you from taking another breath.

If you walk through the fire, you will not burn. The flames will not touch a single hair of your body. You will not feel the scorching heat of the inferno.

Why is all this true? Because God is Lord, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour! Yes, your Saviour! He is with you always to give you strength and courage to go on in the face of life's difficulties. God lives inside you and you therefore have everything you need to stand with courage in any kind of battle.

You have been summoned!