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.
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 Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give nations in exchange for you, and peoples in exchange for your life
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Isaiah 43: 1-7 (NIV)
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
“You are mine.”
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Yes Lord I needed to hear this, to read this once again.
“You are mine.”
This is one of the verses you laid on my heart these past months to learn,
to hold,
to ponder.
“You are mine.”
Human creatures have such a need to belong, Lord. Did You create that hunger within our hearts, Lord - that only You could satisfy?
Is our poverty of spirit only made rich in Your presence?
When I am honest I find fear drives my efforts and is the root of my motivation. You remind me not to be afraid.
You have already redeemed me; saved me; made me Your own.
I belong to You.
Forever.
Permanently.
Completely.
Now You call me by my name. Come, Jeanie, You invite. Come and be with Me, You are mine.
What peace I experience when I realize I am in Your heart right now.
I know Your hands hold me, protect me, embrace me.
You gather me under Your wings like a hen shelters her chicks.
I am safe.
I am saved.
I belong.
I am Yours.