“When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.”
Isaiah 43:2, NLT
God’s love is ever present. No matter where we go or what happens to us, God is ever present with us, even in pain, suffering, and loss. A thunderstorm isn’t one of my favorite things, but hurricane and tornado alerts are definitely NOT what I want to see flash across my cell phone. Especially when I lived in a mobile home, tornado watches and warnings put me on high alert. With no basement to go to and knowing that a mobile home could be destroyed in minutes, it was always a tense time for me. Even later living in an apartment building didn’t offer much more protection or comfort because there was still no place to honker down during a bad storm. The comfort comes in knowing that God is always present with me no matter what I’m going through.
After one particular storm, a resultant hurricane having passed through, I carefully started inspecting the outside of my home and property. When I got to the front, I was so thankful that a downed pine tree went the direction it did. Had it toppled the other way, it would have crushed my little car and caused damage. As it fell, nothing was damaged. I believe God guided that tree carefully to the ground. Obviously it doesn’t happen that way for everyone in every storm of life, but when it does, we can rejoice with Isaiah knowing that God is with us in the midst of the storm.
Deep waters. What are your deep waters? A mountain of debt with seemingly no way of digging out from under it? God sees it and will provide in His time in His way. Is it a difficult family situation that’s been going on far too long and is pulling everyone down? God sees and knows all about it. Hang in there and let Him teach you through it. I know that’s hard to hear because I’ve been there, but the lessons I’ve learned were worth it. Maybe you’ve been looking for a job and found none. Keep looking and praying. As long as you have a roof over your head, food on the table, and clothing to wear, thank Him for what you have AND for what He’s going to give you in the way of a new job.
I read a quote on Pinterest, but I don’t know who said it: “God sometimes takes us into troubled waters not to drown us but to cleanse us.” That’s something to think about as you contemplate your own deep waters. What are God’s reasons for taking us through deep waters?
Rivers of difficulty. Aren’t we all familiar with the saying when it rains, it pours?! Rain is what causes rivers to overflow. One problem after another is what causes rivers of difficulty that we think we’ll never be able to cross. It takes time to build a boat. The bigger the river, the bigger the boat needed, and the more time it takes.
What did Jesus say to the storm when His disciples were out on the boat? PEACE BE STILL! If there had been no storm, the disciples wouldn’t have been afraid. If there wasn’t a storm in progress that was threatening their safety, they wouldn’t have needed a rescue. If it had already been still and calm, Jesus wouldn’t have been able to display His power and rescuing miracle on a storm-tossed sea.
Fire of oppression. Commentaries tell us that God is telling the Jewish people (who were in captivity in Babylon) that He will be with them in troubling times, helping them through them, giving them the strength to move beyond them, and delivering them out of danger without harm. Christians around the world today are experiencing the fires of oppression from other religions and armies and people who oppose them. But be assured: No one ever gets away with any sin!
Flames will not consume. Your deep waters, difficulty, or oppression may put you in the heat of the battle, and it will get hot, but the Lord will not allow you to be burned. I’ve always questioned that part of the verse because flames from a fire do burn, but remember, they can only burn the body but not the soul. Satan can do everything possible to destroy a person, but he cannot destroy the soul that is anchored in Jesus. He is ever present and will not desert us no matter how hot the battle gets. Another characteristic of God’s love for us coming up in the next post.
PRAYER POINT FOR TODAY:
Lord, keep my eyes fixed on You so they won’t be distracted by the deep waters, difficulties, oppression, and flames all around me. Thank You for protecting my soul for all eternity.
- Week 1 – temptation
- Week 2 – confession, forgiveness, and fasting
- Week 3 – listening to God and answering when He calls
- Week 4 – God’s love for us
- Week 5 – waiting, anxiety, and trust
- Week 6 – suffering, pain, and struggles
- Easter – resurrection and salvation