"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."  Isaiah 43:1

"Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him."  Isaiah 43:5-7

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."  Isaiah 43:11

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."  Isaiah 43:18-19

We've made it over - what a blessing.  We have a new year upon us, which, for many of us, may signify uncertainty and concern.  Last year may have been tumultous for so many of us.  There may be lsot jobs and lost hope, but God is still in control.  He has declared He will always be with us, but will we be with Him?

He tells us to forget the things of old - to remember not the former things.  That doesn't mean take them out of your memories.  That means put them in their proper place with the proper value.  If God proclaims a new thing in your life, the former things won't nullify what God has for you.  So why give them any thought?  Last year cannot be changed - today is right here, and tomorrow is not promised for all.  Yet, this hope we always have - this foundation - God will always be with us.

God has taken meticulous care and given much attention to each and every one of us.  He knows what awaits for each of us this year, so it makes sense to hear the call of the One Who knows and shapes our path.  The One Who knows the plans for each of us, and how we fit together, will not leave nor forsake even the most minute of details about any of us.  Our Father calls His people from everywhere, and He has not stopped calling us from the beginning.  His call is not like the calls of celebration for the new year we have reached, but it is a call of purpose.

God says He calls His people by name - that is a powerful statement.  The name is significant - it demonstrates a sense of purpose.  That is why Jacob was called Israel, why Abram was given a new name - Abraham.  Knowing someone's name denotes a level of intimacy.  It is one thing to call someone by their last name, another to call them by their first, but yet another to call them by a pet or nickname.  Certain associates call me by Molake, people closer to me call me by Alon, but the people who either want to be close or are close have a special name they call me by.  Well, God doesn't call us informally.  He doesn't call us arbitrarily.  He doesn't call us like we are associates.  He calls us as if He wants a special relationship with us.

He calls us because He wants an intimate relationship, not simply an association.  We are talking about Father to child intimacy.  We are talking about Friend-to-friend intimacy.  And we are not talking about fairweather friendship here.  He is someone that sticks closer than a brother ever could. 

"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."  Isaiah 43:2

God wants to reassure us that He will be with us always.  If this new year is causing anxiety, look to the hills from where our help comes from (it comes from the Lord).  He told us through the raging waters, and through the flame, He would be there and we would not be overtaken.  I believe Him, and submit I am not the only one He meant this for.  If He has done it for a wretch like me, who else is He doing it for?  Who else is He going to do it for?  You and I.

A great man proclaimed that he had nevr seen the righteous forsaken, nor the seed of the righteous begging bread.  That is a testimony that still stands to this day.  The righteous just happen to always be in the waves of blessings, and are blessed to the overflow.  People around them are blessed.  Yes, times of troubles will come, but they always go - they cannot last.  God extends this promise, plus He extends that He would keep us always - even in our trials and tribulations.  What's your focus?

There are things you can do, and things out of your control - but nothing is beyond the control of God.  As long as God stays your Source, you will have no need to be afraid.  Many times, He tells us to fear not.  Two reasons (at least):

1)  There will be things we will encounter that will seem overwhelming

2)  He would be there in love and in our protection

Don't let the waves of this new year take away the faith you have or will receive this year.

Be blessed.