Today in our Heart Notes post, I offer a verse that has repeatedly been a source of comfort to me. Be sure and download and print the free July printable. Here is the link for that:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
One word can change everything.
“When”. If I had my way, it would say “if”. There is a big difference in ‘when’ and ‘if’. ‘If’ gives you a bit of wiggle room. ‘If’ means that it might happen, or it might not. ‘If’ is what our selves long for when it comes to dealing with waters sweeping over us, and flames setting us ablaze. ‘If’ gives us a bit of hope of escaping the difficult times.
“When”, on the other hand leaves no room for doubt. It is just a matter of time until the waters seek to sweep over us, or the flames try to set us ablaze. (There is your devotional thought for the day. Aren’t you glad you signed up to receive my posts??!!)
So, what do we do with that? Having recently spent a few hours wading in a trout river, I can understand the idea of waters and rivers sweeping over me. I can understand that it is possible to drown in 2 feet of water.
The good news is that we are not alone in the water or the flames. God, who owns the water and the fire, goes before us, and walks beside us as we meet our ‘when’ in life.
Don’t rush past that, friend. Read it again. ‘God, who owns the water and the fire, goes before us, and walks beside us as we meet our ‘when’ in life.’ That isn’t some nice platitude. It is solid assurance that no matter what we face, we don’t face it alone. The One who is bigger and stronger is right there with us.
Do you feel like you are drowning in 2 feet of water? Are the flames so close you can feel the hair on your head crisping up like bacon? Rest in the assurance that God’s hand will keep you from drowning; His shield of protection will not allow the flames to consume you.
Will you trust Him?
Would you share a bit about your ‘2 feet of water’ today? I’d love to pray for you.
