Saturday, October 4, 2008

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
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 43:1-2 NLT
~~~~~
When God created us, He made us social beings that need others to interact with. And that is especially important when we find ourselves going through difficult times. Today’s scripture passage tells us how God has made provision for such times. We belong to Him not only because we are part of His creation, but even more so because He has ransomed us – He bought us to be His personal possession. And now He calls us by our name and assures us, “You are mine - I will be with you.” No matter what we go through in this life, we are never alone!

Having this personal relationship with Him doesn’t mean that we are exempt from difficult and scary times. His command, “Do not be afraid” shows us that He wants us to focus on His promise instead of on what strikes fear into our hearts. He will be with us in every situation no matter how threatening it may be. He will not allow His ransomed ones to be destroyed.

When we are in deep waters way over our head and our feet can’t touch bottom anymore, He will be there with us, holding us up and bringing us to solid ground - all the while calling us by name and reminding us that we belong to Him. In rivers of difficulty with strong currents about to pull us under, His assuring promise is “I will be with you . . . you will not drown.” We are not alone in the struggle. Even in the midst of the fire of oppression when we go through fiery trials, He is with us like the fourth man in the fiery furnace.

Deep watersrivers of difficulty and fire of oppression are allowed in our lives not to harm but to strengthen and purify us. Remember His word to us is, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. . . I will be with you.”

Let’s Pray-
Father, help us not to give in to fear when in threatening times. Grant us grace to rest in your promise that you will be with us through every experience. Help us to know that you cause everything to work together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose.
Amen

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

i came upon your blog by googling "i will make you fishers of men".

you write a nice and encouraging blog.

i see from the church refrences that you probably live in the st louis area. i grew up about 60 miles south east of st louis, in a town called marissa in illinois.

i have lived in oregon since the 70's.