Isaiah 43:2 - In Deep Waters and Fire With Jesus.
Isa.43:2: In Deep Waters and Fire With Jesus.
Isa 43:2,3 (TEV) When you pass through deep waters, I will be
with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through
fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt
you. For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves
you....
Fire and water are often used in the Scriptures to denote
calamity-- the latter because it overwhelms; the former because it
consumes. (Barnes' Notes)
Going through rivers of difficulty will either cause you to
drown or force you to grow stronger. If you go in your own strength,
you are more likely to drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you,
he will protect you. [Life Application SB]
God loves us and will be there for us in times of trouble and
turmoil. As we "go through rivers of difficulty," we have a choice. We
can either trust in our own ability and drown, or put our trust in
God and be rescued. [Life Recovery SB]
We will not be able to meet the trials of this time without God.
We are not to have the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old
until brought into the position they were in. The Lord proportions His
grace to meet every emergency. We are to receive daily supplies of
grace for each daily emergency. Thus we grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1888/460
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all". In Scripture, water and fire often appear
as purifying agents. [SDA Commentary]
As we allow God to do the deep inner work of changing us, he
will purify us in our spirits through whatever fire or cleansing
water he feels is necessary And in his compassion he will not allow
us to be consumed or drowned by his methods of purification.
Instead, he will enable us to experience true freedom from the guilt and
shame of our past. Barbara Stephens; [Life Recovery Devotional SB]
"When you pass through the waters"
Deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge,
And His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself has said it,
He, the faithful God and true:
"When you come to the waters
You will not go down, BUT THROUGH.
Seas of sorrow, seas of trial,
Bitter anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation
Sweeping over heart and brain--
They will never overflow us
For we know His word is true;
All His waves and all His billows
He will lead us safely THROUGH.
Threatening breakers of destruction,
Doubt's insidious undertow,
Will not sink us, will not drag us
Out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise will sustain us,
Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!
We will not go down, or under,
For He says, "You will pass THROUGH."
Annie Johnson Flint [Streams In The Desert By Cowman]
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go;
Anywhere he leads me in this world below;
Anywhere without him dearest joys would fade;
Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.
Anywhere! anywhere! Fear I cannot know;
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go;
Anywhere with Jesus I need fear no ill,
Though temptations gather round my pathway still;
He himself was tempted that he might help me;
Anywhere with Jesus I may victor be.
Anywhere with Jesus I am not alone;
Other friends may fail me, he is still my own;
Though his hand may lead me over dreary ways,
Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.
Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep,
When the dark'ning shadows round about me creep;
Knowing I shall waken, never more to roam,
Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.
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