Pastor’s Corner: “Deep Waters”
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) – “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you”
Endurance, perseverance – we hear these words, but usually we secretly hope we never have to exercise these spiritual muscles. We face a myriad of problems in life, usually involving losses of some sort. How we handle these will determine whether our faith strengthens or fades. We can sound superior and say all the right words, but if we fade with the coming of trials, all our speech is in vain.
The really hard trials, the loss of a child, a terminal disease, prolonged unemployment, the loss of one’s home, etc. These things can break us, but that is not always bad. When we are truly broken, we find we are not enough in ourselves to make it through. It is at that moment that we either let bitterness and depression get a foothold, or cry out to God for help, which He is always faithful to give. Psalm 91:4 (TLB) – 4 He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.
God may not always change our circumstances, but He has promised to see us through and never leave us. At first this can seem like little comfort and help, but as we grow and mature, we see the true gift that it is. Quietly trusting, even when our hearts are absolutely breaking, will bring us through to the other side with a confidence in our God that we had not experienced before. This leads to greater faith for whatever comes. We are strengthened with an unshakable belief that God will never fail us, which enables us to minister to those around us.
This is a stressful and unsettled time. And you may feel like you’re going through it alone. But you’re not alone! God sees what you’re going through. God cares about what you’re going through. He’s right beside you, no matter the situation or circumstances you may be facing. There is nothing to fear when you know God is near. No matter what you face in the future, you will never face it alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) – So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you”
Satan will plant all kinds of seeds of doubt and fear in your mind like, “What if I get sick?” “What if the economy tanks?” “What if, what if, what if??” We face anxiety from all kinds of sources. Give those fears to Jesus and remember God promised to never abandon you. You don’t have to know what the future holds because you know who holds the future. God promises, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you …”
In His grace,
Pastor Hamilton