Passing Through the Waters

Came across this in Isaiah this morning...felt I should share it with you. Someone needs this encouragement today.

The Lord says...

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...
...because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you."

Isaiah 43: 2-4a.

Whew! Interesting how the Lord doesn't keep us out of the deep waters or fire, but is there WITH us. Remember Daniel 3: 23-25?

"And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, fell down bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadenezzar the kind saw and was astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counselors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered, True, O kind. He answered, Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the form of the fourth is like a son of the gods!"

And, look how He declares to you...saying with all might and passion-- "I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." He's say to you and I..."I'm yours. I am YOUR Savior." Oh my, then see what your Savior says..."because you are PRECIOUS in My sight and honored, because I LOVE YOU."

Hello?!?!?!

I encourage you today and remind you that YOU ARE PRECIOUS in His sight. He LOVES you. That doesn't mean your problems will go away or you'll be freed from the deep waters or be pulled out of the fire necessarily. However you got yourself there, whether through your own actions or through life's circumstances, God is there with you.

Perhaps you are angry that you are there. Perhaps you are depressed because you are there. Those emotions are okay and valid...but don't get stuck there. Quit feeling sorry for yourself...God is there with you...He wants to teach you from this experience, He wants to show you how to handle where you are and show you how to grow from it.

I call to your rememberance Romans 5: 3-4

"...we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Boy, it took me quite a while to get out of my funk from last year and "put on the garments of praise." It was AMAZING...a miracle, really...what happened in my life when I chose to move out of my depression and anger to take this step. I didn't do it with great enthusiasm at first...but it was out of obedience. THAT, choosing to be OBEDIENT, is what God wanted from me.

I challenge you today to do just that--

In the spirit of heaviness, put on the garments of praise!