Today's Lectionary Text
Isaiah 43:1-7
But now, says the Lord—
the one who created you, Jacob,
the one who formed you, Israel:
Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
when through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you won’t be scorched
and flame won’t burn you.
I am the Lord your God,
the holy one of Israel, your savior.
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
you are honored, and I love you.
I give people in your place,
and nations in exchange for your life.
Don’t fear,
I am with you.
From the east I’ll bring your children;
from the west I’ll gather you.
I’ll say to the north, “Give them back!”
and to the south, “Don’t detain them.”
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name
and whom I created for my glory,
whom I have formed and made.
Today's Devotional
When the world gets heavy and there is a lot of uncertainty, I often turn to Isaiah 43:1 “I have called you by name; you are mine.” There are many days where I question, “I am doing this right?,” “Am I doing enough for the world?” I start to downplay my own talents and abilities. I also ignore the call God has placed in my heart: a call to do justice and love mercy. While, God has called me to wonderful work of kin-dom building, it doesn’t mean I need to work 24/7. Instead, God is there in the moments of exhaustion saying, “I love you, and I want you to love yourself.” “When the storm is too much, I am here.” “Take time to laugh or cry.” “But I am here and you got this!”
Perhaps you too have felt the unsettledness in the world or you’re feeling uncertain about where you might go from next but know this simple truth. God loves you. God has called you to the work you are doing. Whether it is as a teacher, doctor, farmer, technician, pastor, advocate, nurse, custodian, student, or the many other professions there are. You have been called to do great work in the world. Even on the days where your heart is heavy and the work feels like too much, know God loves you and cares for you. Know that you can lay down your pain before God, who hears all whose work leads to liberation.
Repeat this phrase: “I call you, [ insert your name], you are mine and I love you.”
Prayer for Reflection
Loving God, you have called us by name. You know the very names we use, and you reach out to us in moments of high waters and storms. May we care for ourselves the same way you care for us. Together we pray. Amen.
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