Not Just Through It:

Are you going through fiery trials right now? In addition to all the chaos and the turmoil swirling in the world today, so many fellow Christians I have spoken with are going through difficult times personally too–financial troubles, family dis-unity, lost loved ones rebelling even more, sadness and discouragement coming in waves, feelings of condemnation, multiple family deaths, mental torment, struggles with temptation and wrestling with doubt are just a few of the struggles I have heard mentioned. 

Almost everyone seems to be going through some form of upheaval and engaging in a spiritual battle in some shape or form. Isaiah 43:18-21 speaks peace to the trials and tribulations you (and I!) are going through:

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people, the people whom I formed for Myself that they might declare My praise.”

Did you catch that?

He said that He would give water IN the wilderness.

He said that He would give rivers IN the desert.

For so long, I’ve been praying, “God, get me OUT of this time of testing!” But this morning, the narrative switched. He showed me that He will protect me IN the trials:

Isaiah 43:1-3 says:

“But now thus says The LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you pass THROUGH the waters, I will be WITH you; and THROUGH the rivers, they shall not overwhelm your when you walk THROUGH the 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.”

Again, here God Himself declares that when we pass THROUGH the waters, THROUGH the rivers, THROUGH the fires that He will be our Savior protecting us IN the trials and tribulations. 

No matter what fiery trials you are facing, no matter what giant tsunami waves you see coming your way or are crashing down around you or on top of you, know that you have a Savior–a SAVIOR–who is there with you IN the fire, IN the river, IN the water, and He has promised that it will not consume you.

Let your prayer change its way from, “God, get me OUT of this, to God, get me THROUGH this. I know that You’re with me and will never leave me or forsake me.”

Do you know why He will never leave you alone and forsaken, daughter? 

“Because you are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4)

Jesus said in John 16:33 that you WILL have tribulation in this world, but to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world and in Him you have peace. 

A Prayer For You:

Lord Jesus, please help my sister who is going through difficult struggles right now. Please help her to know that You are right there with her in the fire, in the storm, and help her to know that You will never leave or forsake her because You love her so incredibly much.

Please help her to be able to raise her eyes above what is going on and to see that You are her Savior in this situation. Please help her to trust You in the dry places and to also know that You will bring rivers of refreshing IN the desert to her and that miracles often come in the least likely places, just like when You caused water to pour forth from a rock in the wilderness. You are the God of the impossible!

Thank You for keeping Your daughter safe through this trial. She is safe under Your wing of protection and care and right there with her through this. Thank You for transforming the arrows of the enemy that he designed to destroy her into sources of blessings from Your hand.

You cause ALL things to work together for her good and Your glory. Whatever the enemy intends for evil against my sister, You turn it around for her good and Your glory because You love her. Help her as You walk hand and hand through this trial together and let the celebration be extra sweet once you come through to the Promised Land. In Jesus’ Name, amen!