You are mine

 

An Emoji Devotions for Sun, 11th July 2021

Topic: You are mine!

By H. U. Wenger

Highlights: 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.” (Isaiah 43:1)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38 – 39)

God’s history with the people of Israel is very special, because it does not follow the rules of genealogy but the rules of promise and belief. In Romans 9 – 11 the Apostle Paul makes clear that in Jesus everybody who comes to him and believes in him will be counted as a child of Abraham and therefore be an Israelite in the spirit. On the other hand a Jew who does not seek the Lord will not be counted to the children of Abraham. Paul writes: What if he (God) did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” [Hosea 2: 23] and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ” [Hosea 1:10] (Romans 9:23 – 26).  

Only a remnant of the original people of Israel will eventually get saved and with them many people out of the nations. It is crucial to acknowledge that the promise and the warning of the Isaiah prophecy apply to the Jews and to the followers of Christ out of the nations.  “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[Isaiah 28: 16]For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[Joel 2:32] (Romans 10:10 – 13)

 Now, as we have established that the Isaiah text applies to all believers in Christ, we can state for sure, that you are created, formed and treasured by the creator of the universe and that he redeemed you and calls you by your name. You will not always be safe and secure. Water and fire may trouble you, but nothing can overcome you according to the following verses in Isaiah 43 and according to Romans 8:38 – 39. You do not need to be afraid. You are under the watch of the good shepherd. What do you think the Lord may call you for by your name?

Could it possibly be that he wants you to confess and spread the good news that for your neighbor the same riches are available? Before Jesus parted from his disciples he assured them that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and he gave them a mission:  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18 – 20)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for creating and gifting me to serve for your glory. Show me how I can praise you with my existence and how I can spread your wonderful Gospel to other people. Thank you for never having to stand alone as you are with me to the very end, so that I can say no to fear and boldly proclaim your name and your salvation. Amen