By Kathy Stanford

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

In times like this, we discover the reality and depth (or not) of our faith. Recent months have taken the illusion of “control” over our life and exposed it for the wishful thinking it is. In it’s place, we are left with the knowledge that nothing in this finite world can really be counted on. Fortunately, we have access to an infinite God. One whose love and power are not confined to this realm. Psalm 56:3-4 NIV states,

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?“

David is credited with writing this Psalm, regarding a time he was seized by the Philistines, in Gath. He had reason to be in great fear – for his life. But he held firmly to his faith, trusting in a God whose faithfulness surpassed the plans of mere mortals.

The promise in the verse at the top of this post is one I held on to years ago, during a time of personal trial. It gives me hope and comfort now, as it did then. It’s not a promise of no difficulty. It is a promise to keep me from being overcome, as I pass through the difficulty. I’ve a particular liking for the way it is worded in the New Living Translation.

“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

I wish with all my heart that I could share some deeply inspiring comment that would make all we are going through, as a nation, seem okay. But I don’t have any special insight or wisdom. I only know that God is still sovereign and He still hears my prayers. Because my faith is being strengthened, even as it is being tested, I KNOW, without doubt, that I am not alone in the midst of this fear and confusion that has been our experience, so far this year.

My friend, I hope you are trusting in this faithful God, and are experiencing the comfort and peace that only He can give. If you don’t know Him, and would like to know more, click on the “Do You Know Jesus?” tab at the top of this page. If you already know Him, keep trusting and turning to Him in prayer.

Dear Jesus, Prince of Peace, please grant us your peace in our hearts, even as we cry out for peace in our nation. Heavenly Father, thank you for being a God of love and faithfulness. Help us to keep turning to you when we feel afraid. Thank you for the promises made in your word, that you will never leave us to deal with the hard things in life, alone – but will always be with us. We love you and praise you, as our Savior and Lord.