Isaiah 43:1 But 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.
Redeemed People Belong to God
To whom do you belong? Well, I belong to Sena. She is my wife of 23 years, and I love her with all my heart. I am a Tennessean, and I am very thankful and proud to be one. I am an America, and I am glad that I am. These are things that describe where I fit and to whom I belong. To whom do you belong?
The Bible reminds us in Isaiah 43 that redeemed people belong to God. Verse 1 says, “But 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.” God made, God formed, and God purchased this nation Israel just as He did all those who have put their faith and trust in the Messiah that came through Abraham’s seed.
Redeemed people belong to God. That is the intent and design with which God created and formed both this nation and you as a person. This fact, that redeemed people belong to God, assures us of a couple of things.
First, it assures us of God’s presence. Verse 2 says, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.” Verse 5 says, “Fear not: for I am with thee.” God was assuring Israel of His presence because He owned them; He created them; He purchased them. To Israel, God was the “LORD thy God.” In this chapter God is called “the Holy One of Israel.” He is called “thy Saviour.” He is called “your redeemer.” He is called “the creator.” He is called “your King.” These are all names that describe to these people who God was. Redeemed people belong to God, and that assures us of His presence.
Second, it assures us of God’s care. Verse 4 says, “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee.” God says, “Look, I am going to take care of you, Israel, and you are precious in My sight because I created and bought you.” Is that any less true of a person who will put their faith and trust in the Messiah that came from these precious people?
Third, it assures us of God’s guidance. In verse 16 God says that He made a way. He refers back the exodus out of Egypt, and then He refers to a deliverance that will come in the future. God was predicting things that had not yet come and looking back at things that had been.
All this brings us to a question. Why did God form, create, and redeem us? It is so we would glorify Him. That is why God made Israel. That is why God made you. Verse 7 says, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” God made us for a purpose, which is to glorify Him.
In verse 21 God says of Israel, “This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” Every day of my life and every day of your life, people need to see a person who is assured of God’s presence, God’s care, and God’s guidance, and who will glorify God because those things are true.