You Are Precious

O. T. #1645  "You Are Precious"
March 10, 2020
Isaiah 43
Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (verse 4)

LET IT GLOW

God repeatedly followed messages of judgment on Judah and Israel with promises of their future and ultimate redemption. God dealt differently with Israel than He did with any other people because of their special, covenantal relationship with Him. God's children had a glorious future because of their glorious, merciful God. God adjusts His dealings with people based on their relationship to Him.
(Resource: The Tony Evans Commentary)

In looking at verses 1-7, God declares Himself:

• Redeemer (verse 1 and 14)
• LORD thy God (verse 3)
• The Holy One of Israel (verse 3)
• Savior (verse 3)
• Creator (verse 7)

The theme of redemption (to be the next of kin who bought back a relative's property; ransom) appears 22 times in the Servant passages (chapters 42-45) in Isaiah.

According to W.C.Kaiser's book, toward an Old Testament Theology, he notes the threefold aspect of this redemption is from:

1. physical bondage, (verse 5-7)
2. inward, personal bondage, (verse 25)
3. and the redemption of Jerusalem which shall yet come. (verse 20)

God's plan of redemption was carried out through Jesus Christ when He died on the cross and arose from the grave. It was also when His grace allowed Israel to return to Jerusalem after their 70 year captivity.

Are you trusting in this Redeemer? Has He delivered you from the bondage of sin?

Do you know that you are precious (valuable, be prized) to God?
We are valuable to God. We are His prized possession. So let's keep that in our heart and mind when the world kicks us down.


LET IT GROW

How does God describe His people?

• They are called by their name. (verse 1)
• They are His.
• They are not alone, for God is with them. (verse 2)
• They will not drown when going through rivers of difficulty.
• They will not be burned up when they walk through the fire of oppression.
• They would be ransomed for their freedom by heathen nations; others given in exchange for them; their lives were traded for them. (verse 4)
• They are precious, honored, and loved by God.
• Not afraid, for God is with them; He will call them back to Israel. (verse 5-6)

An example is the three Hebrew boys when they were thrown into the fiery furnace at Babylon because they would not bow down to the idol. God did not let them be burned up, nor was smoke on them. He was in there with them because the king saw a fourth man in there.

We can take that as saying that when we are in the fire due to our stand for God, He will be with us, providing what we need. Isn't that our good, good, God?!

LET IT GO
Let me become more aware of You presence and goodness.
Thank You, Father, for making me Your child.
How You love me, for You died for me, a sinner.
May I proclaim Jesus as my Redeemer.