He'll Get You Through!!!

God Amidst The Fires & Floods

As I get older, sometimes I look back at my younger years and shudder. I shudder because I look back on my immaturity, but mostly I shudder because I miss the energy, strength and capacity of my youth. As we age life doesn’t just get different, it gets harder - not because we are necessarily lacking in understanding, knowledge or maturity - but rather our ability to physically, emotionally and mentally cope with all the struggles is diminished. And well to be honest - that is a little hard on our pride.

However, what it does is increase our need to rely on our faith in Jesus, rather than our own strength and understanding of life. Basically, God will get us through until we draw our very last breath - no matter how hard or how long that journey may be.

In Isaiah 43:1-3a we find some hope, and some encouragement to keep going - even when it all seems too hard.

Isaiah 43:1-3a says…

 Verse 1: “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” 

The prophet Isaiah is speaking as the voice of God (Yahweh) - so these introductory words are God’s. And HE is telling us not to be afraid of what we are about to experience (or are currently experiencing).

Why shouldn’t we be afraid? It’s a normal human emotion right????

Firstly, human emotions are fragile and inaccurate representations of what we are experiencing. Here we have God telling us to set them aside and to trust HIS supernatural nature and HIS perfect will.

Secondly, we are HIS - HE redeemed us, paying our ransom (through Jesus paying our debt on the cross). If we believers are God’s - then we shouldn’t fear any of the evil that comes our way.

Thirdly, God HIMSELF calls us by name - that fact alone means that God knows who we are, and what we are going through. If HE knows us, and HE knows what we are struggling with and facing - then surely HE knows what we need to get through it. We should be filled with peace because God knows us, calls out to us - and we are HIS.

We are HIS and we are HIS children - our heavenly father will protect us, will provide for us, will heal us and will help us. These are not a matter of opinion - these are divine truths and we should hold on to them tightly when we are going through difficult times.

Verse 2: “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.”

This verse is perhaps the most discouraging and encouraging verse in the entire Bible.

It is discouraging because it states some very significant and serious events. Firstly, it is noting that “You will go through problems”. That inference doesn’t really help or encourage us. Rather, we turn around and say “Gee thanks heaps for that!” We would prefer not to go through the hard times. Yet, this verse tells us that we surely will. After this statement it then outlines that we will face rivers of difficulty that will threaten to drown us, and we will face fires of oppression that will threaten to consume us.

Yet…Yet GOD!!!

Yet God says that we will not drown under the weight of the circumstances that sweep over us, nor will we be consumed or destroyed by the force and persistence of those that stand against us.

Those statements are promises - they are not propositions, nor are they conditional.

We will make it through the hard times as surely as we will experience them!!!

Verse 3: “For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” 

If there was ever a powerful statement written in the Bible it is this verse. In it Yahweh HIMSELF declares that HE is God, that HE is the LORD, that HE is the Holy One, that HE is the Saviour…

The divine power and authority of this verse gives the preceding verses an unwavering authority of their own. These declarations by Yahweh give the reader of the preceding statements encouragement and strength that what has been spoken will come to pass and be true.

Therefore, we can take it as a truth that we will indeed face trials and struggles in our lives - and we can also take it as truth that GOD, Almighty Yahweh, the Holy One will be there with us and help us through those times. This is the only truth we can cling to. The world and all its vain philosophies and idols cannot give us truth. Nor can it help us when we go through the trials of life.

When we (or our loved ones) are facing chronic illness, or the dark storms of mental illness, or the collapse of relationships, or the loss of employment/income, or any of the multitude of others things that plague our normal lives - THE ONLY TRUTH - is GOD IS WITH US!!!

I pray that whatever you are going through at this time, may you hold closely on to Yahweh who is there with you amidst the flood and fire - who is with you when you shed tears in the night when the weight of it is all too much to bear. God is there for you, and I - all of the time - every time. May HIS peace and strength be upon you always…