Uncertainty is a killer. It leads to fear, and fear is stifling. Fear keeps us from making decisions, from chasing our dreams, from obeying God, or from reaching our potential. Fear is the antithesis of faith. With faith, we follow. With fear, we don’t.

There was a time when the entire nation of Israel was in fear. Through Isaiah and other prophets, God told his people that Israel would be destroyed for their sins and a remnant saved but put into exile in Assyria and eventually Babylon. This terrified them, but to the faithful remnant, God told them he would restore them.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

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

I will be with you 

when you pass through the waters,

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not overwhelm you.

You will not be scorched

when you walk through the fire,

and the flame will not burn you” (Isaiah 43:1-2 HCSB).

These “yous” are plural. God is not talking to individuals, but to Israel. “I have called you by your name” refers to Israel, Jacob, God’s chosen. While it’s true that God knows each individual’s name and redeems him or her if asked, and shepherds him through the waters and fire, the truth in these verses is that God protects his people as a whole.

The End of the Matter

If you are redeemed, if you are a part of Israel as defined in the New Testament as all the spiritual children of Abraham, those who have his faith—the faith that saved him 430 years before the Law was given to Moses—then you are included in the promise.

Do not fear, for God has redeemed you. He has called you by the name Church. You are his. When you pass through the waters, they will not overcome you. When you pass through the fire, you’ll not be burned.

The LORD bless you and keep you.