"Mine"

Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

What a beautiful passage about God's desire to have an intimate relationship with those He has redeemed! God did not set forth a generic calling for universal salvation. His calling was intentional, specific, intimate and personal.
The words used here in Hebrew are the same used in Genesis when God created man in His own image (Gen. 1:26-27) and formed Adam from the dust of the earth (Gen. 2:7). There in Genesis, the creation and formation of man was very different than anything else because God took lengths to make it personal. He created man in His image, breathed His breath of life into his nostrils (Gen. 2:7), formed his body with not only His words but His own hands! Just as mankind is set apart from all of creation, Israel was set apart from all of mankind.

And so that Israel notices such a difference, the Lord calls them by name. This verse actually declares that the name the Lord uses when He calls Israel is "mine." Think about that! When God considers the nations and peoples of the earth He thinks... "there's Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome, China, America... Mine."

I believe the same holds true for the church and followers of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4-14). He has not initiated a generic plan of redemption nor extended a universal salvation. His calling is specific, personal and intimate. And those whom He elects He gives the right to be called "children of God" (John 1:12). To those who overcome He gives a new name (Rev. 2:17) and God's own name is written on him (Rev. 14:1).

I am God's. He knows my name and has called me by His name. I am created in His image and recreated in the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. Daily He is forming me and conforming me to His will. His breath and His Spirit are in me. His eyes and His hands are upon me. I am God's. What is there that I should fear? I am God's. Amen!