Accepted and Approved
You are precious and honored in my sight . . . . I love you. Isaiah 43:4
READ Isaiah 43:1–4
As a child, Tenny felt insecure. He sought
approval from his father, but he never received it. It seemed that
whatever he did, whether in school or at home, it was never good enough.
Even when he entered adulthood, the insecurity remained. He continually
wondered, Am I good enough? Only when Tenny received
Jesus as his Savior did he find the security and approval he’d long
yearned for. He learned that God—having created him—loved and cherished
him as His son. Tenny finally could live with the confidence that he was
truly valued and appreciated. In Isaiah 43:1–4, God told His
chosen people that, having formed them, He would use His power and love
to redeem them. “You are precious and honored in my sight,” He
proclaimed. He would act on their behalf because He loved them (v. 4).
The value God places on those He loves doesn’t come from anything we
do, but from the simple and powerful truth that He’s chosen us to be His
own. These words in Isaiah 43 not only gave Tenny great security,
but also empowered him with the confidence to do his best for God in
whatever task he was called to do. Today he’s a pastor who does all he
can to encourage others with this life-giving truth: we’re accepted and
approved in Jesus. May we confidently live out this truth today.
By Leslie Koh |
How do you think God sees you? What does
John 1:12 tell you about your relationship with Him? What comfort do you
find in that knowledge?
Heavenly Father, I know You love me, accept
me, and cherish me. Thank You for adopting me as Your child and loving
me without conditions. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Against the backdrop of an imminent Assyrian
invasion (Isaiah 7:18–25; 10:5–6) and the future Babylonian destruction
and exile (39:6–7), God reminded the people of Judah that as His chosen
people, they had a special relationship with Him (43:1). He also
assured them of His love and protection through a self-revelation of who
He is (vv. 1–7). Because they’re greatly loved by God, their Creator
and Redeemer (v. 1), Protector (v. 2), and Savior (v. 3), they need not
fear the invading Assyrians or the Babylonians (vv. 4–5). In calling God
“the Holy One of Israel” (v. 3), Isaiah’s common designation for God
(see 1:4; 10:20; 12:6; 30:12; 60:14), Isaiah extolled God’s complete
holiness (see 6:3). Though God’s people remained unfaithful and
unrepentant (43:22–24), God in His mercy had purposed to forgive them
their sins (v. 25). Although they’d be forgiven, they’d still be
disciplined through the Babylonian exile (v. 28).
K. T. Sim
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