I guess there are saviors, and then there are saviors. There are the super-hero saviors who swoop in to rescue and then, just as quickly, fly away. Those who deliver from immediate danger, but may be busy somewhere else when the next crisis arises.

And then there is the Savior who delivers eternally and still abides daily. The One who wins our greatest battle, saving us from our greatest enemy, and yet sticks around to provide help in time of need for the day-to-day conflicts. Fear not, says the LORD, for I am with you.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 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. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. . . . Fear not, for I am with you . . . ”

(Isaiah 43:1b-3a, 5a ESV)

Love this portion of Isaiah. “Behold My Servant,” the LORD declares in Isaiah 42. Meek and gentle at His first appearing. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench” (Isa. 42:3). Yet, He will bring forth justice. Initially through His sacrifice on the cross where He will give Himself as the justly demanded payment for men’s and women’s sin. And then, at a future day, when He returns to rule and bring forth justice to all nations.

Behold My Servant. The rescuer from sin. The conqueror over death. So fear not, says the LORD, I have redeemed you.

And redeeming you, He says, I will remain with you. Whether it be passing through deep waters or raging rivers. Even if it involves the flames of fiery trials, the heat of which seems unbearable. In the water, through the fire, I will be with you, says the LORD.

And not so that I might comfort you as you go under for the third time. Not to fan you as the flames consume you. But I am with you so that you will not drown as the waters rise. I am with you so that you might walk through the fire without being burned. That you might endure the furnace, not just emerging intact but coming forth refined as silver or gold.

Fear not, for I am with you . . .

I am the LORD your God. I am the Holy One. I am your Savior.

O’ what a Savior!

Eternal redemption through His once for all sacrifice. Day by day renewal as, by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit, He communes with us. Moment by moment relief as He sojourns alongside down all the paths before us.

And so, says the LORD this morning, fear not. Don’t be afraid of the difficulties. Don’t dread the unknown. Don’t be frightened because of the difficulty. Fear not, for I am with you.

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

I am with you. A pretty powerful promise of God. A pretty awesome Savior!

A reminder of His all sufficient grace. A reason to give Him everlasting glory!

Amen?