Keeping Your Head above Water

Tom Barnard

 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

(Isaiah 43:2, 3)

 

“When we are in Christ Jesus,

circumstances shall never be our master.”

John Henry Jowett

 

Isaiah recorded many profound words that originated in the heart of God. His “Thus says the Lord” declarations are treasured by saints past and present. I especially love verse 1 of Chapter 43 of Isaiah,

 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine.”

 

I can almost hear the Lord voicing those very words to me. I sense that God is saying, through Isaiah, “I claim you as my very own, and I am sovereign over everything you do. Don’t be afraid of the future. I am in charge of the future.” Actually, that is what we can infer from the passage from Isaiah printed above. God wants us to know that even in the darkest, most threatening circumstances of life, he will make sure that nothing bad will happen to you. God will help keep your head above water. You will not drown!

 

Are you struggling through a rising tide of trouble? God promises to be with you.

Are you facing obstacles that threaten to overwhelm you? God is greater than any obstacle.

Are you feeling the heat of stress building up? God will not allow you to be consumed.

 

Can we hold our heads above water in every life situation? Every situation? I know of no one who claims this personal power for all situations in life. But if we lean hard on God, he will help us keep our heads above water. Remember, God has made a commitment, and he won’t go against his word. Rejoice in that.

 

Heavenly Father, our loved ones have been hit hard this week because of situations that they did not expect. The death of a pet; the serious illness of a second pet. All in the same week. These added to the issues they are facing right now. I ask that you will take these words and multiply them to everyone on your list that is hurting today. In the strong name of your Son I pray. Amen.