Isaiah 43: 1-3
It’s mid-January in St. Louis. The dead of winter. Snow on the ground, 10-12 inches worth.
As I sit in my chair reading Isaiah 43 in the stillness of the morning, I can sense the Spirit speaking to my heart.
You & I read our bibles looking for something to feed our heart, mind and especially our soul. Some days it’s stronger than others. Today is strong, focused, encouraging, bringing hope.
Do not fear is found many times in scripture. I love that because I need to hear that lots. You too?
Sp much has happened over the nearly 6 years since my husband’s cancer diagnosis. I’ve clung to the words – do not fear – in countless situations. And I still do.
The description of intense turbulence speaks volumes. Have you ever felt like you were passing through waters? Crossing mighty rivers? Walking through fire? Can you feel the fear of drowning? Of fighting the current & depth of a river? Of enduring intense heat so afraid of being burnt to a crisp?
We all walk through circumstances or situations that make us feel this way. It’s frightening. We cry. We tremble. We stumble. We sometimes fall.
But God never leaves us. The most comforting part to me in this scripture is the phrase – I will be with you. Friend, neither of us is alone. God walks us through the most intense turbulence – waters, rivers and fire, that seem impossible.
But God. . .another common phrase in scripture. I use it here to show you the awesome impossibleness (new word) of God.
Impossible is where God starts. I heard that from Christine Caine, a well known Christian speaker and founder of A21 and Propel. Can you hear God speaking against the intense turbulence in your life? In this passage He says – don’t fear the waters because I will be with you; don’t fear the rivers because they won’t overflow you; don’t fear the fire because you won’t even be scorched. And why is this? “For I am the Lord our God.”
I hope this makes your heart feel better. It does mine. God is going to be with me. None of my turbulent circumstances or situations will do me in because I have the God of the universe, of all time and space, walking with me & in charge of every single moment of my life. Life sometimes feels impossible. But God. . . . . . .
He has redeemed me! He has called me by name! He knows who I am! And He’s got this thing called life. . .and I trust Him.
Here in the dead of winter, at the beginning of a new year, I have hope and confidence for the future. I know I’ll come to Isaiah 43 several times this year as the turbulence rises. I need to remember God hasn’t forgotten me. I need to remember I am His. I need to remember the turbulence is no surprise to Him. I need to remember there’s no reason to fear because He is the Lord, my God.
Maybe you need to remember too. When you do, when your situation or circumstances become overwhelming, run to Isaiah 43. Remember the awesome impossibleness of God.