Belong...

   But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,

      And He who formed you, O Israel, 

      Do not 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; 

      And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. 

      When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, 

      Nor will the flame burn you. 

                For 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. 

             Since you are precious in My sight, 

      Since you are honored and I love you, 

      I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. 

Isaiah 43:1-4

We live in a fallen world. A broken system. Wrought with sin and pain. There is no one who escapes unscathed. All who enter this world will at some time...in some way be touched by the effects of this dysfunction. The tentacles are far reaching...and can leave a deep impression.

In what seems like a hopeless situation we are told to hope. A fearful existence - we are not to fear. An overwhelming circumstance - we are to hold on. Why?

The Lord - your CREATOR...formed you. He fashioned you into who you are today. He knows your propensity to struggle given certain situations. He knows what makes you completely shut down. He knows exactly how far you are willing to go on your own strength before you collapse and rely on Him. He has the authority - the only authority in your life to tell you not to fear...because He is your Creator.

The Lord - your REDEEMER...saved you. Wrought in sin and separated from the Father, He chose to give a Man in your place...in exchange for your life. He has the most vested interest in your life. His love cost Him more than anyone else would be willing to give. Bought you out of your slavery to sin. Gave your life meaning and purpose. Why would one ransom a life...only to watch it be destroyed? You are not to fear because He has already shown you...He will not let you come to ruin. He has saved you from that already. He has the authority to tell you not to fear...because He is your Redeemer.

The Lord - your OWNER...has called you by name. This is personal. Intimate. You are His.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Peter 2:9
You are the evidence of His greatness...in spite of your brokenness...in the midst of your weakness...because of your inadequacy. He has chosen you...in all of your failings...with all of your problems...to be the display of His grace. You are not to fear because there is ownership over your life. You are not living on your own. He has the authority to tell you  not to fear...because He is your Owner.

So WHEN...not if...you pass through the waters...He will be with you. Trials are inevitable. Pain is unavoidable. But you will not be alone. The difficulties will vary...each one taking on a new challenge. Requiring a different element of faith. Water overwhelms. But it will not overflow you. It will not sweep over you. Fire consumes. Heat draws out the dross. Reveals the impurities. But it will not destroy you. It will not burn you.

When you walk...not run...not avoid...but walk through these trials you will be loved. You will be honored. And you will always be precious in His sight. The path to glorification has not changed. It is only through obedience accomplished. Through endurance completed. And through His sovereign grace...finished.