Isaiah 43:21 English Standard Version (ESV) the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.

Searching various translations there are two lines of thought to this passage.

The first is that God the Father is to be praise.

The second is that we are to declare that which God has praised.

Both can take a firm stand as to why each translation is correct. The first tends to believe we were chosen of God to praise God. That is a solid argument.

The second is to declare that which God has praised. But what has God praised?

Matthew 3:17 English Standard Version (ESV) and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

God praises His Son Jesus Christ, even before His ministry begins. To declare Christ is to declare our allegiance to Him who has given His life so that we will have life in Him.

In this case it is possible to see both translations to be true and to accept and do both. We can praise God and declare Jesus Christ. Those are not two opposing thoughts.

Either way we see the translation must not lose sight of the fact that God formed us and we belonged to Him, even before we were aware of either translation.

Now comes the more difficult challenge. God formed all mankind and knew them in the womb before they were born. The term “they might” is an inexact phrase that allows for the possibility that some “might not” praise God and declare His Son.

That knowledge weighs heavily on the hearts of every believer in Christ. We want those we care about to declare Christ but wishing does not make it so. The more we love a person the more difficult it is to see them walk away from the love offered to all of us.

My father never saw me come to Christ. Let that sink in for a minute.