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Isaiah 43:2, 3a - In Deep Waters and Even In Fire, Jesus Is With You.

Isaiah 43:2, 3a - In Deep Waters and Even In Fire, Jesus Is With 
You. 

Isaiah 43:2, 3a (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. 3 For I am the LORD, your 
God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;  

Fire and water are often used in the Scriptures to denote 
calamity - the latter because it overwhelms; the former because it 
consumes. (Barnes' Notes) 

In Scripture, water and fire often appear as purifying agents. 
[SDA Bible Commentary] 

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] 

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] 

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 delivers 
him out of them all. Psalm 34:19 (NKJV) 

   The contemplation of God humbles the mind, expands the soul, 
and consoles the heart.  
   How does it expand the soul? "The soul," says one theologian, 
"is at home only when it is in God." He meant, of course, that as 
the soul was made for God, it can only function effectively when 
indwelt by God. Contemplation of God is like breath to the soul; it 
inflates it and causes it to be fully actualized. "My body and my whole 
physiology functions better when God is in it," said a doctor to me some 
years ago. I replied: "And so it is also with the soul, dear doctor, 
so it is also with the soul."  
   Another benefit of contemplating God is that it consoles the 
heart. But how? It does so by focusing the heart's attention on the 
greatness and goodness of the Eternal and also on His tender mercies and 
compassion. The more we know of God, the more we realize that when He 
permits us to pass through deep and dark waters, it is not because He is 
powerless to deliver us, but because a beneficent and eternal purpose is 
being worked out in that process. And what is more, we discover that 
God is not interested merely in working out His purposes in us, but 
in imparting to us a richer sense of His presence. In God there is 
a balm for every wound, a comfort for every sorrow, and healing 
for every heartache.  
   All kinds of remedies are on offer in today's church to help 
the hurting (some of them more secular than sacred), but I know of 
nothing that calms the swelling billows of sorrow and grief as does the 
quiet contemplation of the Godhead.  
   My Father and my God, forgive me if in times of trial and 
distress I look for comfort in the wrong places. You and You alone are 
able to meet my soul's deepest needs. Help me to see this not merely 
as an opinion but as a conviction. In Jesus' name. Amen. [Every Day 
With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes devotional re Psa. 92:4] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY:

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050408-1019.html

UPCOMING LIVE BIBLE STUDY SERIES BY PASTOR DOUG BATCHELOR

Heroes of Faith - Stories of Salvation: 
http://www.theheroesoffaith.com/ 

UPCOMING LIVE BIBLE STUDY SERIES BY PASTOR JOHN BRADSHAW

Revelation Today - The Mysteries Revealed: 
https://www.revelationtoday.com/