I NEED ! Morning Devotional from Isaiah 43 –

Isaiah 43 Devotional

I Need You – You Are Mine

Pastor Calvin Cook

Key Verse: “You are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

The opening words from the song by Elevation Worship is starting my morning; “I need You to soften my heart, And break me apart, I need You to open my eyes

And see that You’re shaping my life.” The song continues with prayer like request of the changes that we need God to make in our heart, mind, and soul to bring us to the place that we need to be in our relationship with God that pours out into our relationship with others.

In these three words from Isaiah 43- “you are mine” are we genuinely experiencing and accepting that God claims us as His own. Through Jesus, this promise is magnified—”His blood purchased us for eternity” (1 Corinthians 6:20) To this end are we experiencing all that God wants to be (not do) in our life? Or are we in a need-based relationship? We need God to heal us, comfort us, do what we want God to do, and then we move on until the next crisis and we need God once again. This is not living into the fullness of God !

We base our needs of God on earthly needs, what we need on this earth to satisfy our own needs. Given we need food, water, shelter, and relationship. Beyond that what do we or someone else need to bring some satisfaction of mind, body, and soul. Children need parents to be parents, parents need children to be children and then at some point in life the role reverses, Marriages need each other to be committed-compassionate-dedicated to each other, Churches need their congregation to be members of the greater call of God, Small businesses need their community to support them, souls in danger need prayers and a gentle guidance to the place they need to be, the lonely need a friend, the beat down need encouragement, the homeless and hungry need shelter and clothing, the lost need direction, and the list could go on. However, we can’t see this when the only need we focus on is our own.

I asked this week in worship for us to encourage someone this week. So, for the one who needs encouragement – how will we do that – do we do that?

Now, take a moment to think on what God needs from you.  I mean, we don’t mind telling God what we need in our prayers. But genuinely search your heart and think on what it is that God needs from you? If God has been there walking through deep waters, protecting you in the fire – what is God needing even expecting from you?

Reflection: During Lent, reflect on what it means to belong to God. How does His claim on your life shape your identity and choices?