Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 43:1 (NLT).
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
Ransomed, redeemed and restored – God has done everything possible to bring us back from our willful disobedience to the connection He planned for us from the beginning. He brought His people out of Egypt and later sent His Son as the final sacrifice to save us from sin and death.
God created us to be in relationship with Him, in a different capacity than all His other creatures. We are made in His image, called to be the stewards of all He has given us. He gave us free will so that we might choose Him out of love. When we ignore our connection to Him and our responsibility, creation suffers.
Isaiah gives us the biggest reason that God continues His efforts on our behalf: “I have called you by name; you are mine.” He wants to be a part of our lives to sustain us, and make us part of what He is doing in the world. When He lives in us we can share that blessing with all our brothers and sisters.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we choose our way instead of the path of Christ. Forgive us and strengthen us by faith that we may bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.
