January 7, 2007am      Precious In His Sight          Isaiah 43:1-7

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Brokenhearted Father

Among the first glimpses we get of our God is that of a Seeker: “Adam … Where art thou?” ( Gen. 3:9 ). In commenting upon this question to his Bible class, a teacher said, “You can never be a preacher if you read it as though God were a policeman. Read it as though God were a brokenhearted Father looking for a lost child!   —Al Bryant^[1]

Scripture Text:  Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) 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 {[3] That is, the upper Nile region}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. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 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-- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

How do you know that you are precious in God’s sight?   We know who He is.

1.      I created you and formed you.  He is our creator and our Father which art in Heaven.

2.      I redeemed you.  He paid the price for our salvation.  I brought you from Egypt .

3.      I called you by name.  He knows you and calls you by name.  He doesn’t forget.

4.      You are mine.  Since He has redeemed you then he possesses you.  You are his and he is yours.  He wants you to be his because He loves you.

5.      I will protect you through the waters, the rivers, through the fire and through the flame. 

6.      I am the Only, True living God.  There is no other who can compare. 

7.      You are precious in my sight.  You are honored.  I love you. 

8.      I give people in return for you.  I will use others to bring you back to me. 

9.      Don’t be afraid.  I will bring your children in and gather you together. 

10. He who commands the south and the north says bring them in. 

11. All those who I created for my glory for that reason I formed them.