The Chosen Devotional Day 1: Before

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.-" Isaiah 43:1

I want to honor my friend Susan who gave me this 40 days with Jesus book of "The Chosen" series. My prayer is that I will be able to diligently do this without missing a day. It's been a struggle of mine. I cannot do this with my own strength, but with God, who is my strength and fortress, all things are possible. I believe.

• What parts of your "before" has God redeemed, and which are you most grateful for?
  

There are too many to mention, actually. I used to get angry easily. I did not know how to control my emotions. I just burst when my feelings told me to. Because of that, some of my relationships, 

suffered. I also had this kind of attitude where I'd think to myself that if someone doesn't like, I don't like them either. Selfish thinking.

There are many more of my "before" that my Father God redeemed, but the one I am most grateful for is "repentance" which is the changing of my thinking about who and what He is. I used to think God as a big guy up in heavens just watching all people in the planet doing their thing, punished them when they do something He doesn't approve of. He was so patient walking with me to understand His very nature as my Father God.

• How does "I have called you by name, you are mine" impact you today?

This statement from the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God impacts the way I look at myself significantly. It's a deep, personal statement which gives me assurance and sense of belongingness, passionately love, and jealously protected. Him calling me by my name gives my life direction and purpose. It means that my birth was not random nor luck. It means my life here on earth is needed for a good purpose that He planned long before I was created.

• What do you fear? How does Isaiah 43:1—this declaration made by God to His chosen ones —affect your fear?

What do I fear? My ultimate fear is me and my loved ones well-being. I do not want to die at the early stage of my life, leaving young children without the care of their mother. I do not want my kids, my husband die before me. Death stinks. I believe it's a universal thing that people fear most of all. But thanks be to God who tells me and promises me not to fear.  I have hope that me nor my loved ones will not leave this earth until our purpose is completed. Thanks to the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ, death is behind me, us. I have eternal life. 

From time to time I need a reminder of what He says in Isaiah 43:1. It gives me assurance. It gives me confidence that my all-powerful God watches me and takes care of me and the people I love.