Fear not, for I have redeemed you

Sunday January 10th, Isaiah 43: 1 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. Fear not child of God. Last week we heard of God’s predestination to love in the New Testament lesson. This week we hear it again in Isaiah. Though the world is filled with war and economic uncertainty, fear not. Though greed is fueling the global warming, Wall Street and those who strive to regulate its excesses, fear not. Though hatred and death is justified in the name of a loving God, fear not. For among you will rise up a voice. It will seek peace among all the vast creation of God. It will seek peace within the created of God, you and me and our enemy. It will seek peace with God the creator, manifest in the forgiving love of Christ. Greed, hatred, war, free market and socialistic forces will still have their say; will still distort the message of God for their own satisfaction and greed, but the voice of God will rise up through your voice O children of God. God will lead you. Above the din of destruction, the sweet spirit of your voice will be heard, for God has summoned you by name. Fear not child of God, speak up O Child of God, for this day the Lord has said, “You are mine.”