Daily, to counter the negative influence that the world has on my thoughts, I arise with faith declarations: “This is the day that the LORD has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.”1 “The joy of the LORD is my strength.”2 “In Your presence there is fullness of joy”3 (I learned this habit from BM whom I had a chance to travel with; he always was so bubbly).
The Psalter declares, “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad” (NIV writes, “. . . and we are filled with joy”).4 Yes, recall the number of times that God has done great things for you?
God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible5 has made himself known and introduced himself as the I AM.6 True, God is to be revered. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.7
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”8
Knowledge of Scripture is crucial. From it (among others) I learned that God knows me and calls me by name. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.9 Just as God called Mary,10 Cornelius,11 and Peter12 by name, he too calls you and even now stands at the door [of your heart] and knocks; if you hear his voice and open the door, he will come in to eat with you.13
God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. God preaches good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all) and has anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power.14 They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him appear, not to all the people but to those chosen.15
Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.16
Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.17
Notes:
1. Psalm 118:24
2. Nehemiah 8:10b
3. Psalm 16:11
4. Psalm 126:3
5. Nicene Creed
6. Exodus 3:14
7. Proverbs 9:10
8. Isaiah 43:1
9. Isaiah 49:1b
10. John 20:16
11. Acts 10:3
12. Acts 10:13
13. Revelation 3:20
14. Acts 10:34-38
15. Acts 10:39b-41
16. Acts 10:43
17. Isaiah 43:5-7
