OCTOBER 17, 2024
Topic: “GOD WITH US”
Text: ISAIAH 45:1-7
Memory Verse: “…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” – Isa 45:4.
Coming from chapter 42 of Isaiah into our text, we see that God expressed sorrow over the rebellion and spiritual decay of His people Israel. However, despite all of that, He still had love for them enough not to abandon them. He still promised to show them His love and mercy in practical terms by bringing them back from captivity and restoring and re-establishing them in their land of inheritance. He promised to give them an outpouring of His love not wrath. Only God would do such a thing!
Because Israel was special to God, He chose to protect them in times of trouble and to be with them when they were in dilemma. We are also special to God because of Jesus Christ. By His blood, He has redeemed us from the condemnation of sin and made us the special possession of God. We can call God our Father and do so confidently. This love of God shown to Israel by God is also extended to us because of Jesus. As we see in our text for today, God promised his presence with Israel both in the fire and in water (worst situations), so Jesus promised to be with us always – in all situations to the end of the age – Matt 28:20.
Receive the comfort of God’s love expressed in His presence with you. No matter what situation you may find yourself, be assured of His presence with you. Nothing will overwhelm you because of God’s presence with you. Give Him thanks as you appropriate this show of God’s love.
PRAYER: Pray as the Spirit leads you.