hiking2christ

Who gave up Jacob to the looter, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned, in whose ways they would not walk, and whose law they would not obey? So he poured on him the heat of his anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart. But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” 
—Isaiah 42:24-25; 43:1

Does anyone keep their promises today? With marriages imploding and children left parentless, does anyone stand by their word for the long haul? Are commitments ever for keeps? What’s the key to perseverance? For followers of Jesus, the answer is clear. I will not falter: God is watching.

If you’re walking in God’s strength by faith and embracing His promises, you’re not going to falter. Isaiah 43:1 is one of the most treasured promises to God’s children in all of His Word: “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’”

In order to make this promise our own, it is helpful to understand the setting. God’s people were being judged (Isaiah 42). They were wayward and rebellious, and God was done with their attitude. He was putting some heavy consequences on them.

Look at all of Isaiah 42 and you will see their failure and the resulting fallout (vv. 18, 22, 24-25). God admitted, through Isaiah, I piled all this on you and you’re still not getting it. Judgment is the background to the comfort that begins in the first verse of Isaiah 43. Knowing Israel’s situation and their desperation helps us recognize the priceless value of God’s promise. That same promise can keep us from faltering.

How? Consider this: Redemption is one of the greatest doctrines in the Bible. We see its most glorious application on the cross of Jesus Christ. Before God interrupted your life, you were a slave to sin and had no way out. You owed a debt you could not pay—not even partially or over time. You were bankrupt: morally, ethically, and spiritually broke. But Christ showed up and redeemed you. He settled your debt. He paid the price so you could be set free.

So, don’t be afraid, God says. You had the worst possible problem, which required the greatest imaginable sacrifice, and I took care of it. You think it’s all over because you’ve got some problems? I redeemed you just as surely as I redeemed Israel. I know you by name. You are mine. What will I not do for you now? Fear not!

Small problems seem big to us, but we’re not God. He is completely aware of all you face and every situation in which you find yourself. God allows you to go through a trial to change you and to bring glory to Himself. It’s not going to go on forever. It’s not going to get too deep. It’s not going to get too hot. So you need not falter. God is watching—and that is an exceedingly great and precious promise!

– James MacDonald