"But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Observation/Application: I recently pulled out an old Bible of mine and was thumbing through it when I found these verses.  On the top of the page was a sticky note from my wife that read “Steve, this is what God has done and continues to do.  Let’s listen to the I’s of God, and who he does this for is the you’s.  Put your name in after the you’s.” I started in verse nine, “You Steve are my servant.” “I have chosen you Steve and have not rejected you Steve.” Here is what I found.

1. I am Christ’s servant
2. I have been chosen
3. I have not been rejected
4. Christ is with me
5. I will be strengthened
6. I am under the right hand of God

All of this can certainly be supported by New Testament passages but when we personalize it, I am certainly encouraged.  We serve the same God that gave this to Jacob.  So let’s be encouraged just like Jacob and all the descendants of Abraham would have been by hearing this passage.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are a personal God.  You know my name and even know the number of hairs on my head.  You know me better than I know