“Do not fear,
for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 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 43:1-2 NIV)
God summoned us by
name . . . what a magnificent honor! Think about this . . . God knows us by our
names. We are first-name friends with God. And he left Heaven to redeem us.
Astounding! Who would have ever thought we were worthy of such love? The One who
created us did!
name . . . what a magnificent honor! Think about this . . . God knows us by our
names. We are first-name friends with God. And he left Heaven to redeem us.
Astounding! Who would have ever thought we were worthy of such love? The One who
created us did!
And Isaiah teaches,
God will protect us against all harm and destruction. We won’t drown in the
waters of this life. Floods of this life won’t sweep us away. Fires of this
life won’t burn us. So, “do not fear.”
God will protect us against all harm and destruction. We won’t drown in the
waters of this life. Floods of this life won’t sweep us away. Fires of this
life won’t burn us. So, “do not fear.”
That’s easier to
write than to practice. When I walk into my fires, I want God as close as
possible. I want to feel his presence every instant. I want his hand holding my
hand. I need reassurance that God is greater than my firestorm.
write than to practice. When I walk into my fires, I want God as close as
possible. I want to feel his presence every instant. I want his hand holding my
hand. I need reassurance that God is greater than my firestorm.
Each day as I
minister grace to others, I’m confident that God cares for me too. His love and
grace always dwarfs my own ministry. Even when I don’ t feel his hand on my
shoulder, I know God is present with me because I trust his promise.
minister grace to others, I’m confident that God cares for me too. His love and
grace always dwarfs my own ministry. Even when I don’ t feel his hand on my
shoulder, I know God is present with me because I trust his promise.
He assures us that
waters-of-life are never too deep for him . . . crossing flooding rivers
present no problem for him . . . fiery furnaces and firestorms leave no smell
or burns on those who walk with him. There’s a promise I can live with.
waters-of-life are never too deep for him . . . crossing flooding rivers
present no problem for him . . . fiery furnaces and firestorms leave no smell
or burns on those who walk with him. There’s a promise I can live with.
Dear Father, thank
you for your promise of safety. Empower me with confident trust, This I pray in
the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your promise of safety. Empower me with confident trust, This I pray in
the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today trusting God’s promise,
courageous today trusting God’s promise,