"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE WHEN YOU ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATERS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE WHEN YOU ARE PASSING THROUGH THE WATERS"

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”

Isaiah 43:2 “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.”

(Taken from today's reading through the One Year Bible 9/23/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

God, the redeemer of His people, was expressing to them that when His people came out of captivity, though there would be obstacles, He would be with them, He would deliver them. His people were faced with the opposition coming from foreign nations, but God would be with His people to help them, just as He is today.

1. God has a word of promise for His people.

Isaiah 43:1 “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”

Please notice how God speaks to and about His people. He created them. He formed them.
You, as a person, were created by God.
And You, as a saved person, by God have been re-created as it were.
You were formed by God.
He considers You His own.
In fact You are His own children.

2. God's word to His people is one comfort against fear.

Isaiah 43:2 “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.”

God knew that hard times were ahead.
He knew what His people would be facing from the heathen nations around Israel's land as the people returned from captivity.
He likened their troubles to passing through the waters.
But, He said, I will be with you.
And the waters would not overflow them.

And, when they went through the fire (the fiery trials of battling the enemies of God), He assured His people that they would not be burned, nor would the flame scorch them.

3. God specifically tells them how He would help them through the difficult times.

Isaiah 43:2 “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.”

His message to the people, "I will be with you”.
And that is His message to us today.
He is with us.
Nothing can separate us from His love.

Some Questions:

1. Are you passing through a difficult time right now?

2. You may want to look at these verses more closely, and find the comfort of God from them.

3. If you are leaving a place of captivity and being brought back into fellowship with God, you can expect opposition.

4. But you can also rely upon the promise of God. He will do for you all that He has promised.

A Prayer:

Father, You are simply faithful. And we thank You and praise You for being so.
You have never lied to us even once. You have always fulfilled Your promises to us.
There is truly no one like You.
Who else in heaven or on earth can do for us what You do.
We love You, in Jesus’ name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia