Isn't that verse amazing....that God knows us by name. What more could we really want than that?
We are not to fear, and it's a command not to be afraid, it is an order that Jesus gives us in the bible. Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid". The phrase 'do not be afraid' and 'fear not' are some of the most frequent phrases used by Jesus. He was constantly saying it to his disciples because he knew they needed the reassurance that he was with them. So Jesus knows that we struggle with anxiety and wants to help.
We have control over our minds and our thinking. We often believe it is out of our control and something we cannot do, especially when we get overwhelmed with thoughts of anxiety and fear. That is what the world might think, that we cannot control our thinking and we cannot be at peace in a restless world. However, when we lean into Jesus, we can control our thoughts and we can choose not to dwell on the thoughts that are making us anxious and afraid.
The verse above says, 'Don't be afraid, as I have redeemed you', that is why we should never feel afraid, because God has stepped in to redeem us. We don't need to be afraid of the past, or for today, or the future. God knows us by name, wow, and that can give us so much comfort.
Isaiah 43, 18 Remember not the former things, do not consider the things of old. Behold I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
We're often told in the bible to remember things, for instance, God helped the children of Israel escape out of Egypt and they remembered this by having a Passover feast. In Esther, the Lord delivered his people and they were to hold a banquet every year to remember what the Lord did for them and how he rescued them, and also we remember when we take communion, what Jesus did for us on the cross. However, the verse above challenges to 'remember not' the former things of old'. There are many things we should remember and other things we may be shouldn't hold onto. We need to remember those times where God has helped us, saved us and delivered us because they encourage us, and build us up and help us not to be afraid of the future. There are some things we should not dwell on, the bad things, the things that will take us away from God and the things we used to do that did us no good.
The great news is, that is says in the verse 'Behold I'm doing a new thing'. God is always doing a new thing. He is full of creative ideas and wisdom for our lives. He knows what's best for us, so why do we fear? The verse says, 'I will make a way in the wilderness'. We may feel we are in a wilderness and that it is large, we may feel we are right in the middle of nothing or going nowhere, we don't really know which way to go or what to do, there are no landmarks to help us move forward and we are in the middle of a desert with no hope. But the promise here is, God says I will make a way in the wilderness! God will lead us through that desert and will be with you every step of the way, just like he led the people of Israel. However lost and empty you feel, God will help us through this difficult time. God hasn't left you and he will guide you, where there is nothing he will create something for you because that's what God does because he knows us by name. 
It also says, I will give you rivers in the desert. The promise here is that even in the desert God will provide refreshment. You will find an oasis where you can feel helped and loved. There will be sustaining and life giving water. That water is the Holy Spirit that will guide you through the the unknown. He promises to lead us beside still waters. What it's really saying here is that God is the God of the impossible! Where there is no way, there will be a way forward!
May be you feel like you drowning in all the things you've got to do and have to face. May be you feel like you've fallen out of a boat and fighting for your life. God is there to save you and make a way for you. God is able to give us everything we need in the place we find ourselves. Whether it's the dry desert or the rough seas, God is with you and God is going to make a way for you, he is going to get you out of it and supply everything you need to carry on - because remember whatever we face he holds your hand and knows you by name!
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