READ: Isaiah 43 (Focus vs. 1-7)
MEMORY VERSE
You are precious and honored in my sight. Isaiah 43:4
BACKGROUND
The painting hung on the wall of a home for years, unnoticed and forgotten, until one day it fell. When it was taken to an art restorer for repairs, he discovered it was a long-lost Rembrandt masterpiece titled The Adoration of the Magi.
It had been thought that only copies of the work remained, but here was the original. Suddenly the painting’s value skyrocketed to hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Bible paints another picture of underestimated value and forgotten worth.
Isaiah the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, told God’s people that even though they would be taken away to a foreign land where they would suffer and be devalued, He would still be with them: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine,” He assured them (Isaiah 43:1).
Though they would “pass through the waters” and “walk through the fire” (v. 2), His faithfulness to them would not change. With words that point to His coming kingdom in Christ, God promised that He would one day restore “everyone who is called by my name” (v. 7) and bring them home to Him.
God will one day gather all who are His because they “are precious and honored in [His] sight” (v. 4), each one an original! Our Creator values us because of His infinite kindness and mercy.
The world may overlook us, but He never will.
James Banks
INSIGHT
God disciplined His covenant people because of their unrepentant unfaithfulness and exiled them to Babylon for seventy years (Isaiah 39:6-7). But He wouldn’t forget His covenant or abandon His chosen people.
In Isaiah 40-66, the prophet speaks of the return from exile and Judah’s future restoration. In chapter 43, God promised He’d bring them back to the promised land. They were disciplined, not abandoned, for He said, “I am with you” (v. 5).
He reminded them that He’s still their God—their creator, redeemer, protector, and savior (vv. 7-15). As God’s people, we need not be afraid of the trials we face or the uncertainties of our future. Because we belong to Him, we can be assured of His unfailing love (vv. 1-3).
He tells us, “You are precious and honored in my sight” (v. 4). He loves us and won’t forget us.
APPLICATION
How does God’s kindness in Christ show that you are precious to Him? How much is He worth to you?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“The world may overlook us, but He never will.”
PR’s TAKE
“Once you realize that you are valuable to God, your perspective of yourself and others changes. Not only do you have value because you are created in God’s image but everyone you encounter also has value because they are God’s image-bearers… you walk through life confident in your worth and purpose…You boldly and truthfully share with others how they are valuable to God.” ASK about my faith*
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Psalm 139:13-14 NLT
PRAYER
“Saving God, how amazing is Your perfect love, that You would give Yourself for me!”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I AM THINE O LORD”*
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord…
Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord…
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
