His

Isaiah 43:1-5

But now, this is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, 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... Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you..."

These words have been tumbling around in my heart and mind for the past few weeks. Back in the beginning of April, a classmate sent me a Scripture reference for something in Isaiah 40 and I happened upon the above verses, as well. Two weeks ago, I came across them again when I was doing my daily (or unfortunately, my not-so-daily) Bible reading. This past Sunday in church, an elderly woman shared these verses with the congregation and explained how they have been a source of strength for her in the past two years since her husband died.

The promises in these words are incredible! God created me, He redeemed me from my sin and shame, and He calls me by name! I find it amazing that God calls me by name. There are however-many billion people on this earth and have been billions before me, but God knows MY name and He calls ME forth into His light and to walk in His ways. He promises me that He will walk with me and He won't let me be burnt, drowned, swept over, or be set ablaze. I am His!

God says that I am precious, honoured, and loved in His sight. That is amazing because He sees everything about me! He sees all of the things that I don't want anyone else to see and try to hide, yet He still loves me. I never have to worry about Him failing me in any way because He can't fail me. He is God and He is perfect! He can't fail. I am thankful for that.

-Elisa.