fear not, for i am with you;
i will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west i will gather you.
i will say to the north, give up,
and to the south, do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom i created for my glory,
whom i formed and made.”
[isaiah 43:5-7]
in spite of all of israel’s rebellion against the One who chose them and called them, God has made and continues to make promises. these are promises of a Father who continues to pursue his rebellious child whether the child wants it or not… whether the child realizes what he is doing or not… whether the child knows his need or not.
these are the plans that God has for his children, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope. [jer 29:11] this welfare, these plans for a future filled with hope is a future of an eternity in the presence of God. he plans to dwell with them and they with him forever and ever, having wiped away every tear, with no death or mourning, or crying, or pain. an eternity filled with inexpressible joy in the glorious presence of our Father who made us just for that purpose… to declare his praise for all of eternity while basking in the light of his presence.
because this has been God’s plan since before the beginning of time, he makes promises. he is not hoping it will work out according to plan. he is not aiming high and hoping for the best. no, he declares what he will bring about. he tells us what he will do so that when he brings it to fruition, all the world will see his faithfulness to his children and declare his praise. he promises to call his own whom he chose before the foundation of the world, and gather them from all the four corners of the earth. everyone who is called by his name.
son or daughter of the King of Kings, you are called by his name. he promises to keep you. he promises to bring you to himself. he promises you eternity in his presence, where all fear and doubt will be eliminated completely. so fear not, for he is with you!
how is your life a reflection of these promises? are you living like you are called by his name? are you living like your life is hidden with Christ in God? are you living like your future is filled with hope, being set in stone by the blood of Jesus to spend eternity with inexpressible joy in the presence of your Father? what are you still clinging to here on this earth?
Father, increase our faith! may we rid ourselves of the things of this world to which we are still clinging. may your perfect love cast out our fear! fill us with your Spirit, to know and believe your promises, and to live like we are your children. help our unbelief!
~ arwen eastman