DISCOVERING GOD / #8 / You are mine and I will never leave you

BIBLE: (God speaking) Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. 
Isaiah 43:1-2

MESSAGE FROM ANDREA: When God says to you “Don’t be afraid” it’s because He knows that we can sometimes feel worried and scared about things in life - He’s not saying we will never have hard or scary things happen to us and around us, but He is giving us some things in this verse to remember when we are in those situations… Read over the verse again.

God is saying - You don’t have to fear because you are MINE.

I am always with you. You may have to walk through some hard and overwhelming things, but they DON’T get to take you out - you won’t get damaged or destroyed by them.

I have called you by name - you are not just one out of billions to God, you are not just a number in a crowd - He knows you individually and calls you by name. You belong to Him - not like a slave but like a child - you are dearly loved and deeply known by God. He paid a high price in Jesus to let you know and experience this.

Did you ever have a favourite possession as a kid? A special Pokemon card, a shell from the beach or a gemstone, a special stuffed animal? Think about how you always wanted to carry it with you and keep it safe and secure - nobody else was getting their hands on that valuable item! This is how God feels about YOU - His precious possession.

It’s so important to know this truth and let it sink in -  this gives us security and safety and belonging. We all have hard things to go through in life, but instead of always thinking on how hard it is - think on this truth - You belong to God, He will never leave you alone (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5) so You don’t need to fear. 
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IN YOUR JOURNAL: 
​[A] What was your most precious possession as a kid?

[B] Write down some of the things that might feel like “deep water”, “raging rivers”, or “fires” in your life at the moment - things that are overwhelming or causing you to worry.
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[C] Ask God to show you what walking THROUGH that WITH HIM beside you might be like. Write down His response. Spend some time reminding yourself that He is there and invite Him to show you how near He is.