July 25, 2021: SOAP #4252:  Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah (NIV) 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.

OBSERVATION: What does it mean that God “summoned you by name?”
1.  It means He knows me.  He knows my name. 

2.  It means He wants my attention.
3.  It means He has a specific assignment for me.  It is personal and unique to me.    

What a privilege it is to know that the Creator knows me by name.  He can identify me uniquely from every other person on this planet.

APPLICATION:  So, what does that mean to me? 
1.  I must never think that I am unimportant to God.
2.  I must be quick to listen to what He is saying to me. 
3.  I must carefully follow through with what He says to me. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, keep speaking to me through your word.  Reveal truth to me and through me to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!