I Have Called You By Name

by | Jul 28, 2021

Have you ever read a scripture that marks you so deeply it becomes your life verse? One that brings such fresh revelation, comfort, and shalom from Heaven every single time you see it, think of it, or hear it Holy Spirit uses it to show you something new that changes you forever?

Isaiah 43:1-2 is one of those for me, one that I cling to. 

I remember the first time I ever read these words. Father’s whisper of love leapt right of the page and settled deep in my heart. It was the first time in my life that I confidently knew in my core that I, Jessi Beasley, was fully known, loved, and cared for by my creator. These words have become so familiar to me that Holy Spirit often uses them to soothe my soul. He’ll bring them to mind when I’m driving down the road, laying down to go to sleep, or even when I’m in conversation with someone. Sometimes it takes me by surprise. I’m not expecting to hear them, but whenever I do I feel Father’s warm hand on my cheek. Just like a father would caress his child’s face while walking past them as the child contently plays with their favorite toy. A small touch to say “I love you, I see you, I’m here”. 

And then there are times when Holy Spirit wrecks my soul because these words are exactly what I need to hear from Father at exactly the right time. Those are the moments when I feel Father’s full embrace, with me sitting in His lap and His arms wrapped tightly around me.

One of these moments happened a few weeks ago, and He used these words to give me fresh revelation on what I’m currently walking through. I’ve started a new job after praying and waiting for 5 years on Father to make the way. Even though I’m beyond grateful, excited, and happy, I’d also been feeling extremely overwhelmed, anxious, and unqualified. Father orchestrated every single detail of placing me in this new position, and I’ve never been more sure that this is exactly where He wants me to be, but this new job doesn’t look like what I had envisioned or planned for myself.

I have zero experience, and feel like I have no knowledge whatsoever of what I’m doing. A few weeks ago I was having a full blown fear-filled moment, questioning why in the world I said yes to this. Why did I step out of comfort and everything I know to do something that I feel I am completely unqualified to do? (That was the enemy by the way). The thoughts of all the unknowns began spiraling in my head when Holy Spirit highlighted the very first part of Isaiah 43. Not only did He bring them to the forefront of my mind, but He put MY name in them; “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called YOU by name, Jessi; you are mine.” He called ME. Right here, in this moment to this new job. He reminded me that throughout scripture Father called the unqualified. Despite their inadequacies HE qualified them, and equipped them. Just like He does for me. 

Sometimes stepping out of comfort looks like saying yes to Father, and sometimes our circumstances force us to. As I was thinking about that Holy Spirit continued into the next verse in Isaiah 43 “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

I couldn’t help but think of the Israelites walking through the Red Sea with two enormous walls of water on either side of them. I could see them right in the middle where they couldn’t see the shore line from where they started, or the one to which they were going. The fear of the unknown and chaos swirling around them in the roaring waves. 

Then Father gave me His eyes to see what He sees. Instead of the Israelites, He showed me walking through the waters, with all the lies and thoughts and overwhelming feelings swirling around me in the two enormous walls of water around me. Drops of water from the raging sea are wetting my skin. Even though I can feel the moisture, the water doesn’t overtake me because I look like Wonder Woman powering through. A forcefield is emanating from within me, surrounding me as a go. I see Father walking with me, like we are one person and He is shielding me from being overtaken by the waves. Just like in Psalm 139:5, I am hemmed in before and behind. 

In this verse it doesn’t say I won’t feel the water wetting my skin, or that I won’t feel the heat from the flames. BUT it does say they will NOT overwhelm or consume me because He is WITH me. Right in the middle of the raging sea. 

Your sea may not look like mine. Maybe you feel drenched from the waves. Maybe your forcefield feels a little bit more like an umbrella that’s been blown inside out from the wind raging around you. 

Let the words from Isaiah settle into your heart and remind you who your Father is. He has called you by name, and He is with you. 

-Jessi B.