Understanding God’s Promise in Times of Anxiety

But now thus says the Lord,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
² 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. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you”, these words ring with me as I think about the fear an anxiety that must have been present in Israel when they were spoken. From the 8^th century BC, when Isaiah began writing, through the time of Jesus Israel was in a place of constant anxiety. The threats to God’s people were from outside forces were constant. And yet God says, “I have redeemed you.” God is saying to the people that they are already under God’s protection. Yet, I am sure the people from Isaiah’s time on down had difficulty understanding this given the political anxiety that swirled around them. I am sure they wondered if God had redeemed them and what that looked like in the real world.

I think these are still issues we wrestle with because we want everything now. But Advent is a season of anticipation, it is meant to help us look forward to  a time of fulfillment. Advent is meant to help us slow down and say, “God is still getting everything ready”. The time is not yet come and I am glad because I am not ready for it myself- not fully. Just like I haven’t fully prepared for Christmas and so am glad it is still a month away, I have not fully prepared myself for God’s kingdom. Even though I want my redemption to be complete I need to recognize it takes time and if I am patient the reward will be sweet.