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Daily Devotion: Isaiah 43:1

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Isaiah 43:1      "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

We cannot fully grasp the depth of love in this verse until we have taken time to observe Isaiah 42:1, "Behold my servant, whom I uphold..."  Everything in today's verse is based upon the wonderful truth that the very Son of God humbled Himself and became a servant. Throughout His life, we see Jesus serving others. He opened blind eyes, deaf ears, made the lame to walk, healed withered hands, and even raised the dead. He constantly gave of Himself to others; yet, that was not the fullness of His servitude. Hear the words of Jesus in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."  Yes, the ultimate service that Jesus came to accomplish was that of giving His life for you and me.

Paul was completely taken by this great truth.  Speaking of Jesus, He wrote, "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:6-8 ) Why did He do that? Why did He have to die on the cross?  Again, listen to the words of the Apostle Paul:  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  (9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:8-9) He went to the cross to redeem us from the penalty of our sin. He took the wrath of God upon Himself instead of you and I having to endure. He didn't wait until we deserved it. He didn't wait until we earned it. He didn't wait until we cleaned ourselves up. He didn't wait for us to turn over a new leaf. No, "while we were yet sinners (completely dead to God because of our trespasses and sins), God commendeth His love toward us by sending His servant, Christ Jesus to die for us. We are saved from God's wrath by Jesus giving Himself a "ransom for many."  Understanding this great truth drives away our doubts and fears. May God bless it into our hearts!

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