What Does God Call You?
Opening Prayer
My God, I bask in the knowledge that You have redeemed me, called me by name and claimed me as Your own. Hallelujah!
Read Isaiah 43:1–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
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.
2 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.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In Isaiah’s time, the meanings of names mattered. Isaiah’s name means “The Lord is salvation.” What name would you like to have?Most sensible people would agree that their most valued possessions are not material things. Much more important are the love of our close friends and family; the trust and respect of colleagues and neighbors; the security of knowing just who we are meant to be; and what we call “a good name.” The promise at the start of Isaiah 43 must surely be the greatest treasure of
this life. Consider: our God has called us, using our own name. When he called to me—Mike—it was an intimate, personal matter: in one sense, none of anyone else’s business.
Why has he done all this, and not settled in heavenly places with the adoration of hosts of angels? It’s quite clear that, for the most part, we are a terrible trouble to our God. (Just glance back at 42:22–24.) Even here, as his people pass through fire and water, they are going to need
serious backup from him. Why on earth does he bother? There is only one possible answer. It is both the simplest and most profound truth of all time, and it’s in verse 4.
Apply
In the book of Isaiah, God himself is given more than 30 different names. Which of these especially touches your heart today?
Closing prayer
Using the name of God you chose, praise him for that specific attribute.
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