“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1b-3a (NLT)

As we enter a new calendar year, are you caught in raging rivers of difficulties or the consuming fires of oppression and afraid of being overcome? How awesome to read God’s Word declaring at the beginning of these verses that we are not to fear because we belong to Him! Our God has already paid the exorbitant ransom price to set us free and He calls each of us by our name! What an wonderful truth that He is not only Elohim, Creator of the Universe, but also declares He is God Almighty, El-Gibbor (Zeph. 3:17), our Champion who fights for us. He will not allow any difficulty, oppression or consuming circumstance to destroy us and He is with us no matter what we must face in the days ahead. Renew your trust in His loving care and protection by His saving grace today and rejoice that you no longer have to walk alone. Thank You, Lord!

By JoBeth Kested