Called by Your Name

Isaiah 43:1 (KJV)

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Three short statements, and each one takes something away from fear. I have redeemed thee — you were bought back. I have called thee by thy name — you are known individually. Thou art mine — you belong.

Notice the middle one especially. Not by your title, your role, your usefulness, or your group. By your name. Crowds get addressed; individuals get named. God has never related to you as part of a queue.

So much fear comes from feeling anonymous — that you could disappear and nothing would notice, that your particular troubles are too small to reach the top of anyone's list. This verse simply does not allow that.

Fear not comes first in the sentence, but it comes last in the logic. You can stop being afraid because of the three things that follow it. Say them out loud with your name in the middle.