Through the Fire

Last night, in typical fashion, I did my daily reading followed by some kind of journaling-you could call it. My Scripture was Isaiah 43:1-2, but verse 2 seemed to be the verse that stuck to my heart. Here is verse 2 in the 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"

When I read Scripture closely, I tend to first pray for God to work through His word and to teach me something about His character and His never ending love. Then I read the passage a couple of times, then really start to dig. I identify everything that I know and then use that information to figure out the whole meaning of the passage. Then I pray over it some more, I may even leave then come back to it so it has a chance to work into my heart. Then I start assessing its meaning in my life. As I looked closer into verse 2, I noticed something. 

The verse never says "if". It always says "when". Trials are constant in our lives, I myself am going through quite a few. But this verse definitely gave me some assurance as to God's love and plan for me. When I pass through the fire, which is inevitable, He will be there with me. When I am afraid of being overcome by the world, He promises that the rushing waters of this world will not sweep over me. It may be close, but God will always pull me out. That simple truth gives me the courage to face tomorrow, and allows me to put my all into today. 

This same promise is mirrored in the Gospel of John, in chapter 16 verse 33. Jesus says:

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

My Savior, who has been tempted as I have, has overcome all. I have a God who sympathizes, a God who loves me, a Father who forgives all my mistakes. He isn't just holy, he isn't holy holy, but he is Holy, Holy, Holy. And He loves me (and you) enough to give up His throne, He came to earth to save us not when we finally got our act together, but when we were at our worst. 

If Jesus can give up the joys of Heaven, all for the purpose of redeeming His broken creation, then I know I can face any trial. He is right here with me. He is right there with you. Just open up your heart, and let the Savior rescue you out of the fire.