My God of Promise and Hope

Isaiah 43:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Israel’s Only Savior

43 But now, this is what the Lord says—

    he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, 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.

That God continues to stand by his imperfect rebellious children is a comfort to me.  I've liked this passage in Isaiah for a long time now.  Because of a song I uploaded to Youtube today, "You Are Mine" by Enter the Worship circle, I've been considering this passage again as well as the life of Moses, God's servant sent to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt.  Anyone who has watched the annual showing of the movie, "The Ten Commandments," knows his story.  This imperfect man, sometimes fearful, sometimes tongue tied, sometimes angry, and sometimes disobedient, lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, a land he couldn't enter because he struck the rock at Meribah to bring water to the Israelites instead of speaking to it as God had instructed.  I think that Moses reason enough to be angry with the children of Israel, but by striking the rock he stole the honor that a holy God so rightly deserved.  Fast forward now to the Transfiguration of Jesus.  On a mountain the Son of God was revealed in all His glory to Peter, James and John, men who yet walked the earth.  Beside Jesus in the transfiguration there appeared Elijah and -drumroll- Moses.  What an honor it must have been for this now citizen of Heaven to return to the time when the prophesies of the Messiah were being fulfilled!   Yes, he sinned and suffered the consequence of that sin, but God was not through with him yet.  He, who was once shielded by God's own hand on Mount Sinai from the full radiance of His Glory, was able stand Jesus side bathed in His glory.  Such is our sure hope.    

Moses Viewing The Promised Land by Frederic Edwin Church