The Depth of God’s Designs for us
I am sometimes asked if I have a favorite verse in the Bible. Actually, there are too many to recount. I need them all! Perhaps the one that most completely describes God’s plan for us is in II Corinthians 5:21. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (KJV) Another question that seems to arise is “Do you have a favorite chapter in the Bible? Many look at I Corinthians 13, or perhaps the 23rd Psalm. Although I cannot name a favorite chapter, I do have a favorite paragraph, seven verses which continue to amaze and astound my understanding of the vastness and completeness of God’s care and love for us from the beginning of our lives to the end, including our preparation for eternity. They are found in the first seven verses of Isaiah chapter 43.
“But now, this is what the LORD says-he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel. (verse 1) YHWH opens this chapter by declaring His name, the LORD, the One who becomes all we need Him to be. He wants us to know that the following statements are His words! When He created us, we were all like Jacob, one who wants to control his own life, make his own decisions, and go his own way. The LORD needed to put him through a process (formed) in order to change him into Israel. (Ruled by God) This is His pattern with each of us! God is faithful to individually form us into those who are ruled by HIm.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. (verse 2) This is the first of two fear nots in this paragraph. We need not fear because the LORD knows us by name. He has summoned us and redeemed us. We belong to Him because we are His design, His creation, His purchased redemption and His possession. Our position could not be more secure than this!
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. (verse 3) This verse is a marvelous statement regarding the LORD’s protection. His presence is always with us. Each event of our lives is under His personal supervision. Whether these issues are financial, a physical illness, loss of loved ones, or other challenging circumstances, the LORD assures us of His personal presence and protection.
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. (verse 3) Here He reminds us again of His all sufficient and mighty Name, sufficient to provide and preserve us in every situation that life may bring.
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. (verse 4) In Deuteronomy 32:9 the LORD declares that “The LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.” In Isaiah 43, the LORD declares that we are to become participants with Him in His inheritance, which is the lives of people. People are what the LORD values, and He desires that we become partners with Him in claiming His possession. He desires us to work alongside Him with His inheritance! “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:20.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you, I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Verses 5-7) The fitting climax to this marvelous paragraph of creation, formation, personal knowledge, pardon, protection and partnership is His promise to those who participate in His grace. He will bring with Him those with whom we have invested our lives. How many will there be before His throne that He will reveal to us? Isaiah 60:22 says that “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD, in its time I will do this swiftly.” In regard to each one of these, the LORD states that they were created, formed and made. These three words seem similar in our language, but in Hebrew they are unique and each one describes a different part of God’s work in their lives. Created (bara in Hebrew), is the word used in Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:27. Here it describes a unique personality with potential and possibilities. The word formed indicates a process, while the word made refers to the final product of His work The LORD sums up His purpose by declaring that it is being done for His Glory! This product is referred to in Ephesians 4:13. “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
The above paragraph may seem like the total picture of the LORD’s work in our lives. It is, in fact, just the beginning. It is but the preparation for the work of the ages to come. “Unto Him be glory in the church, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” Ephesians 3:21 (KJV) His work in us and through us will continue as we join with all tribes and tongues around His throne praising and serving Him forever!
In Christ, Richard Spann