Called by Name
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Before God makes a single promise in Isaiah 43, he says, “I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”
Read Together
Israel was facing exile, a disaster that would feel like being swept away. The Lord answers with two kinds of water, rivers his people must cross and water poured on dry ground.
1But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
What It Teaches
Verse 2 says “when” twice. The Lord expects his people to pass through deep water and through fire, and he promises to be with them in both.
Chapter 44 uses water a second way. This time it is poured on dry ground, and the Lord says it is his Spirit, poured out on our children. Willows grow fast wherever they find water.
Both promises rest on the first line of chapter 43. The Lord made you, and he has redeemed you. In Isaiah’s day, a redeemer was the relative who paid to set a family member free. He knows your name.
Talk About It
What deep water is someone in our family passing through right now? How can we stay with them the way the Lord promises to stay with us?
Take to Church
The Lord knows your name, and he is with you in the deep water.