Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
Isaiah 43:2,3
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 shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Do Not Fear
As we enter the new year, with our own hopes and resolutions, the fact remains that there is lot of skepticism and fear around us. News of another virus that threatens the smooth life of humanity and discussions around vaccines for the same fill the air. A clear shift in the political leanings of people from liberal left thinking to hardline right thinking is causing concern for several people around us. Geopolitical tensions, global conflicts and unjustified wars continue to haunt humanity and all of life. Economic instability and concerns about job security are plaguing many. The migration and refugee crisis is taking unprecedented proportions. The climate change and environmental challenges are being more visible each day with natural calamities pointing fingers to the damages done to the eco-system. Technological Advancements and AI innovations are bringing to light new moral and ethical concerns. The polarisation in the societies are taking alarming turns. The existential angst of the ordinary person is becoming more complex with the turn of events around. The challenges the church faces are unprecedented too. Right from the highest echelons of authority to the very ordinary worshipping people there are more questions than answers on some of the crucial issues that define life. Fear is a reality with which people struggle each day.
There could be several responses to fear. We have heard of the 5F response. Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn and Faith. Some people fight. They take fear head on and face it. Some people flee avoiding or escaping the fearful situation. Others freeze immobilised by the daunting fear. Some fawn appeasing others to avoid conflict. However one very powerful response to fear is Faith. Having total trust in God.
Isaiah 43 is part of the prophesy while the Israelites were still in Babylonion captivity and exile. It focuses on God’s intervention to liberate and rescue them. It is a message of comfort and hope calling people to trust in the provisions and promises of God. Even when the situation around looks grim, the call is not to lose hope, but to hold on to the mighty promises of the Almighty,
I have redeemed You
Redemption signifies that God claims His people as His own. It underscores a relationship of covenantal love, where the redeemed are valued, chosen, and secure in their identity as God’s children.
It is thus about belonging. Deliverance and Freedom would surely come if you trust in the soverign power and love of the Almighty. Hope and assurance of restoration serves like a light in the middle of a dark tunnel for the people in bondage.
Redemption refers to the act of regaining possession, saving, or freeing someone or something by paying a price or fulfilling a requirement. It often implies a rescue from a state of danger, loss, or bondage.
It is worthwhile noticing here that the promise is that the Lord has already redeemed them and they are only to appropriate the redemption and experience it. May this assurance that God has redeemed us give us strength in every storm we face in 2025.
I have called you by name
Calling someone by name carries deep significance in personal relationships, communication, and cultural practices. Calling someone by their name acknowledges their unique identity and existence. It shows that they are recognized as an individual and not just as part of a group or a faceless entity. Calling someone by their name is a sign of respect. It conveys that the individual is valued and honored. This is especially true in cultures where names carry significant meaning or are associated with social or familial status.
This promise is deeply personal and carries significant implications about God’s relationship with His people. Calling by name is always purposeful and personal. To be called by name implies acceptance and love, regardless of one’s flaws or circumstances. It shows God’s commitment to His people despite their imperfections. God calling His people by name reflects His active involvement in their lives. It implies His guiding presence and faithfulness through every circumstance.
The ones who are called by name can boldly lean on the shoulders of the one who has called them and he is able to carry them through any turbulence. The message for us is that we are intimately known and loved by God and therefore can totally trsut God in every step of our lives.
You are mine
The statement “You are mine” signifies a deep and unbreakable relationship. In the context of Isaiah 43:2, God promises to be with His people through “waters” and “fire,” signifying protection and deliverance in times of difficulty. “You are mine” assures His commitment to safeguard those He loves. God’s claim, “You are mine,” reflects His steadfast love, not based on our performance but on His covenantal grace.
When the Almighty owns us, our safety becomes the responsibility of his. The onus of carrying us in his arms is what he takes upon himself despite our unfaithfullness.
As the dearly beloved of the Almighty, though we traverse difficult terrain God will carry us through as far as it is required.
I will be with You
The promise “I will be with you” in Isaiah 43:2 conveys profound assurance and hope. It reflects God’s unwavering presence during life’s challenges. The promise underscores that God is not distant but actively present with His people, especially during trials like “passing through waters” or “walking through fire.” “I will be with you” suggests that while difficulties may arise, they will not overwhelm or destroy us because of God’s protective presence. God’s presence is a source of profound comfort. The knowledge that He is with us in every trial brings peace, dispelling fear and anxiety. The promise “I will be with you” affirms God’s presence, protection, faithfulness, and comfort, empowering believers to trust and persevere through life’s challenges. It serves as a profound reminder that we are never alone in our journey.
All along 2025 may this promise ring in our eyes. I will be with You.
Vinod Victor
1.1.2025
Freiburg Anglican Church 