Finding Hope in the God of Israel

Posted on Mar 02, 2021 Topic : Fiction, Men's Christian Living, Prophecy, Women's Christian Living
Posted by : Amir Tsarfati

Isaiah began with an introduction to the ultimate Source of the words the prophet was about to speak: “Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel” (Isaiah 43:1). Right from the beginning, Isaiah’s words were encouraging: “The God who made you is now speaking to you.” Reminiscent of David’s words in Psalm 139:13-16, his message said, “God knows you. He formed you. All your days were already written into the Lord’s books before you were formed. You are not just some random nation. God is not speaking to an anonymous rabble. He is reaching out to His beloved creation.”

Isaiah then spoke God’s words to the listeners:

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).

Read those words again. Let them sink in. How do they make you feel? This is the character of God. These words are who He is. And this message is not just for the people of Israel, but for all who belong to Him. He is saying, “I am God. I am the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Yes, I am the God of My beloved nation, Israel, that I have set apart, but I am the Savior of the people of the church too.”

I don’t know where you are right now or what situation you are in. I just know that you need to believe in the Creator of the world. While His name may be the God of Israel, He is your personal Savior. Why do I have such peace in the middle of the COVID-19 insanity? The same God who told Israel not to worry about the Assyrian army is the same God who comforts me today with His love and power. The same God who can destroy a great superpower to protect His people can certainly eradicate a virus.

The Lord continues:

I gave Egypt for your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Since you were precious in My sight,

You have been honored,

And I have loved you;

Therefore I will give men for you,

And people for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you;

I will bring your descendants from the east,

And gather you from the west;

I will say to the north, “Give them up!”

And to the south, “Do not keep them back!”

Bring My sons from afar,

And My daughters from the ends of the earth—

Everyone who is called by My name,

Whom I have created for My glory;

I have formed him, yes, I have made him (Isaiah 43:3-7).

In those first seven beautiful verses of Isaiah 43 are the past, the present, and the future of Israel. And they contain His message of hope to “everyone who is called by My name,” and that includes the church. His words are for all whom He has “created for [His] glory.” That includes both the Jews who are His chosen nation, as well as all who believe in Him who are His beloved children. The message to all who will listen to Him is this: “When you feel alone, you are not. When you are afraid, remember that I am with you all the way. Even in the midst of the worst of situations, I am there.”

We must understand the truth of God’s presence in the midst of the imperfect times. God didn’t create the imperfect. God doesn’t cause the imperfect. But God works through the imperfect. That’s who He is. He is a perfect God who carries out His perfect will in imperfect people who live in an imperfect world.