"Fear Not," HE Says, "For I Have Redeemed You!"

The antidote for fear!

(Alexander Smellie, "The Secret Place" 1907)

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you! 
I have called you by your name--
you are Mine!" Isaiah 43:1

GOD is intensely desirous to rid me 

of my needless fears. Does HE not give 

me reason after reason for peacefulness, 

calmness and hope?

1. "Fear not," HE says, "for I have redeemed you!"

What a work it was!

What a price it demanded!

What a sorrow it involved!

It meant the surrender and sacrifice 

of HIS SON, HIS Only-Begotten, HIS 

Well-Beloved. It meant for the King 

of Glory, to be born in a lowly stable, 

with the ox and donkey and camel. 

After a life of suffering, it meant 

a stark and dreadful Cross 

on the Hill of Shame!

A Scottish professor, who retained to the last 

a childlike heart, speaking to his students 

one day about the atoning sacrifice 

of Calvary, said, with the tears 

running down his cheeks, 

"Ay, ay, do you know what it was? 

Do you know what it was? 

It was damnation--

and HE took it lovingly!" 

It was my damnation--

and HE took it lovingly! 

And since GOD gave all this for me--

then how can HE ever abandon me? 

Let my heart be confident and strong.

2. There is HIS understanding of my case. 

"Fear not," HE continues, 

"for I have called you by name!" 

HE has such multitudes to remember, 

and yet HE knows me individually 

and intimately! 

The stars lie along the face of the sky 

like bright unnumbered dust; but 

HE knows star from star. 

The flowers spring up in 

battalions; but not a single 

flower is "born to blush unseen"--

HE knows it, and rejoices in it. 

There are billions of people in 

the world today, and I cannot 

grasp the tremendous aggregate; but 

HE is familiar with each beating soul.

Just so, HE comprehends . . .

  my special needs and circumstances,

  my overbearing duties,

  my sore temptations,

  my herculean difficulties,

  my subtle and persevering foes.

Should I not be strong and courageous, 

when the LORD of Heaven has such 

perfect acquaintance with me?

3. And there is HIS ownership of my soul. 

"Fear not," HE commands once more, 

"for you are Mine!" 

In a sense I was always HIS possession; 

but since HE purchased me with CHRIST'S 

blood, I am among . . .

  HIS jewels,

  HIS trophies,

  HIS special possessions,

  HIS redeemed children!

Why should I be afraid? 

I am CHRIST'S redeemed child, 

and HE owns and keeps me!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published Joseph Alleine's uplifting short article,
"The Gospel in a Map".