We are His

Isaiah 43:1-4 "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.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.  Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life."

First of all, the Lord created you... formed you... redeemed you... called you...

Then, He promises to be with you... to protect you...

You are precious... honored... loved...

What a precious promise, that He will be with us.  And isn't that what He wants?  For what other reason would He give us His Spirit?  Jesus came so that we could have true fellowship and communion with God again. 

Brothers and sisters, hard times will come, persecution will come.  We will pass through the waters and the rivers and the fire.  But the Lord our God will be with us, and the rivers WILL NOT overflow us and the flame SHALL NOT scorch us.  Let us stand firm and believe our God.  Let us not fear for we are His.