He Will Be With You

It’s been a bit since I have written a devotional as I have been pretty busy studying in the Bible. I got an email from a mailing list referring to Isaiah 42:2 which says this:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

I can say that lately life for me has been a bit hard and I also know that there are so many people who are going through a lot harder times than myself which is why I wanted to write this message today. I can reflect on the past and the things I’ve gone through before I started following Jesus and He completely changed everything. I had no faith and really no chance of managing much that was happening in my life. I self medicated with alcohol as my way of handling the situation. If you know me personally then you know I am very transparent and have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. Jesus took all that away from me, thank you Jesus. 🙏

It’s safe to say that anyone reading this has found themselves in moments when you don’t even want to get yourself out of bed because you knew what you would be facing once the day started. Perhaps like me you have gone through this more times than you ever would have imagined. Inside our hearts we want the current moment in time to be a pleasant relaxing environment instead of the uncomfortable stress filled world we are destined to enter soon after waking up. I also know it may be hard for some to understand that the hard times in our lives are actually happening for our own good. I have to remind myself that it’s not about what’s happening to me rather what is happening for me. Hurt, grief, anger, betrayal, anxiety, etc are always going to be a part of your daily destination most days. But everything that is happening is preparing us for a destination that has yet to come.

First Peter 2:21 says “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”. As a follower of Jesus Christ suffering is part of my calling, and that I will do all the right things in the face of adversity, unfair or evil acts done by others just as Jesus would. When my suffering comes I accept it and find meaning in it through my faith.

I know that God is with me through it all. The suffering and really tough moments on some days, God sees it all and He is there. Isaiah 43:2 confirms this, that no matter how deep the water gets He will be there. If it looks like you’re going to have to walk through fire, start walking God won’t let you be burned. Notice that the verse starts with “when you” instead of “if you”, we can interpret this that trials in life are sure to happen. We don’t have to fear or run from our daily trials because God will help us and also strengthen us along the way.

Also don’t make yourself think that the trials or hard times you’re going through will be never ending because there will be comfort on our way to our destination. The place you find yourself now is not your final destination, but preparation for the final destination that is to come.

We can thank God each day that He has a place waiting for us and His love for His children is so great that the things we go through are preparing us for our final home, His kingdom which will have no end if your a believer in His son Jesus Christ.