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Isaiah 43:2 - Help in Troubled Times.Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) 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 (NIV) 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. INTRODUCTION When we go through rivers of difficulty, we will either drown or grow stronger as we learn to keep our heads above the water. If you try to make it with your own strength, you will likely drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you, he will be in the river with you and teach you how to navigate the treacherous waters. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY True Security Americans spend more than billion a year on personal security devices and monitoring. Whether it is a mere doorbell camera or a complete home security system, there is a myriad of new gadgets to help you feel safe at home. People want to feel protected, but there is only One who can give true protection. The One who knows "you by your name" is better than any earthly security system. The same God who walked in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; calmed the violent seas for His frightened disciples; shut the mouths of lions; parted the Red Sea; and vanquished armies promises that He is still as powerful today as He was then. God wants to be with you because you are His - both created by Him and bought by Christ's death on the cross. These acts of love, mercy, and protection reveal how much He loves you. He promises to lead you safely through the stormy waters of life to the earth made new! Does this mean that nothing bad will happen once you allow Christ to lead your life? No, there will still be trials on this sin-laden earth. But through it all, Christ promises, "During your darkest, most frightening trials, you are not alone. I am there to lead you and protect you. All you need to do is to put your trust in Me." Dear Jesus, I trust You to protect my life for eternity. Thank You for not abandoning me during the worst times of persecution. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] COMMENTARY PEARLS We will not be able to meet the trials of this time without God. We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old until brought into the position they were in. The Lord proportions His grace to meet every emergency. We are to receive daily supplies of grace for each daily emergency. Thus we grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1888/460 Those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour are not left as orphans, to bear the trials of life alone. He receives them as members of the heavenly family; He bids them call His Father their Father. They are His "little ones," dear to the heart of God, bound to Him by the most tender and abiding ties. He has toward them an exceeding tenderness, as far surpassing what our father or mother has felt toward us in our helplessness as the divine is above the human. DA 327 The disciples were not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed. Then the Saviour's promise was fulfilled. DA 354 CLOSING PEARL Don't Let Me Doe Abbey Muzio is a three-year-old little girl with blonde hair and the biggest smile ever. Although a fun-loving child, she has a fear of water. If she dares stick her foot in a pool, she only does so wearing water wings, clutching her mommy's neck and whimpering, "You won't let me doe? Please, don't let me doe." Though her mother struggles to breathe in Abbey's vice-grip, she assures, "Sweetie, I won't let you go." Life situations that have a potential for danger or disappointment can easily foster fear in our hearts. We are so like Abbey, attempting to grab God in an arm lock and insisting, "Don't let me doe!" Rather Than Fear, We Need To Have Faith; Isaiah 43 Is A Beautiful Picture Of God's Provision In The Midst Of Trouble. Jesus Himself Said In John 10:28, "I Give Them Eternal Life, And They Shall Never Perish; No One Can Snatch Them Out Of My Hand." God Has A Vice-Grip On Us... He Has The Eternal Security Of Our Souls In An Arm Lock. He Will Never, Ever Let You Go! Abbey's mother told me, "I wish Abbey would simply relax and trust me. I don't want her to be afraid; I want her to have fun in the water. She needs to realize that my hold on her is more secure than any grip she has on me." It's a lesson about God we all need to learn. Lord Jesus, thank you for the promises in your Word which chase away fears that overwhelm. I trust you with scary life situations. Thank you for holding me tight. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional: http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Isaiah 43:2 - Help In Troubled Times. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220128-0840.html Isaiah 43:2 - There Is Help In Troubled Times. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211119-1052.html Isaiah 43:2 - DELIVERANCE ! http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200513-0945.html Exodus 14:13, 14 - When He Leads Us Through. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210416-0920.html Hebrews 13:5 - Always There. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220713-0822.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |