Isaiah 43:1-7
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. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. 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.”
On May 10, 2020, Manila Immanuel members were encouraged by the Word of God from the book of Isaiah 43:1-. The message that they have received from the Word of God urged them not to have fear in this time of the difficult situation. Instead, each believer should have faith in God and remain their trust intact with the love of God solely.
By the grace of God, the Sunday service was attended by more than 15 members in the live broadcast. The members listen to the message diligently and received more grace from the message.
It was shared that, ” Today is also our mother’s day so let’s all great our mothers and say thank you for every sacrifices that they have done. As parents, even if they suffered a lot because they love their children so much they chose to carry the burdens on their own. This is the love of a parent. And this can also be the love of God. God always works upon us takes everything on His hand for us to not be a burden. Sometimes, we don’t realize that God is helping us. In this passage, we can feel that God, in His loving Words, says to us that we should not fear for every stormy night and difficult battles He will be with us. But we don’t realize this at all times. We often think about our fear more than leaning unto God. We rely more on our works than trusting in God’s Words. This current time that we have, this long period of time that God has been giving to us let us make this an opportunity to know Him deeper. This time, God wants us to realize that more than fearing anything else we should have make-believe in Him. This is also the time that all of us really need the Word of God. So this is the time that we can share this with our family at home and share this with people that we want to be blessed by the Word of God. However, we fear to do this. We, the ones who have already heard, we could be the vessel to reach other people that is why God said: “Fear not”. What is it that we always fear? We fear many things. But in sharing the Word of God, why do you fear? It is an honor to share with other people about Jesus Christ and it is for His glory that we share about this. Why do we fear? Because we always worry about what will happen to ourselves if we share this with the people who haven’t heard the Word. It was said to us that, we, the ones who have heard the truth, we should (Isaiah 43:8) “Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.” If we always worry about what will happen to ourselves upon sharing the Word of God is it considered faith? Do we really have faith in God? The apostles of Jesus Christ have all run away from him at first because they fear. But when they have seen the truth about Jesus Christ and when they have seen how God really works in their lives, they have no fear anymore. For they gained trust in Jesus Christ, For they deeply realized that God will always be with them.”
In times of tribulation, every believers could exercise their faith and gain more faith in God. As Christians, it must be put in mind, in heart, and in soul that God, in everything that you do for Him, He will always be with you. He will never forsake you nor leave. (Isaiah 43:2-3) “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush, and Seba in exchange for you.”
After the service, the members have a graceful online fellowship sharing the blessing that they have received in the message