In Isaiah 43:2-3 I read, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, 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. For I am the Lord your God.” (TLB)
There are all kinds of trials for believers, which include relational, financial, physical, and mental ones. Some even expect life to be heaven on earth. But this is not heaven!
We pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, because then it would be done perfectly.
But on earth, God’s will is seldom done. Everything on this planet is broken. The weather, the economy, our bodies, and our relationships don’t always work right. I can be sure that, because of sin, bad things will happen.
I can also be assured of God’s promises to support me in all the trouble I will face on this earth.
“When you go through deep waters and great trouble, 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. For I am the Lord your God” (Isaiah 43:2-3 TLB).
When I go through deep waters and rivers of difficulty, God doesn’t promise that I won’t get wet. I’m going to go through some problems that have pain. I’m going to get wet. But God does promise that I’m not going to drown. When I go through the fire, it’s going to get hot. But God promises that I’m not going to burn up. I’m going to make it through.
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace]” (AMP). This doesn’t mean that I can do anything because of who I am. It means I can have confidence in whatever trouble life brings because I face it with the power of Christ in me.
I may not feel very strong right now. But the strength I need will come when I need it. The Bible doesn’t say to ask God for my weekly or monthly bread. It says to pray, “God, give me my daily bread. I need just enough strength for today.”
God will support me in my trouble. He always gives me the strength I need for today.
In summary, when I go through deep waters and great trouble, God promises to be with me. I will not drown, or be burned up and the flames will not consume me. I will experience all kinds of trials as this current life is not heaven. I pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, because then it would be done perfectly. But on earth, God’s will is seldom done. Everything on this planet is broken. I can be sure that because of sin, bad things will happen. I can also be assured of God’s promises to support me in all the trouble I will face on this earth. When I go through deep waters and rivers of difficulty, God doesn’t promise that I won’t get wet. I’m going to go through some problems that have pain. God does promise that I’m not going to drown. When I go through the fire, it’s going to get hot. But God promises that I’m not going to burn up. I can have confidence in whatever trouble life brings because I face it with the power of Christ in me.The strength I need will come when I need it. I need just enough strength for today. God will support me in my trouble. He always gives me the strength I need for today.
I can see why God wants me to ask him for just enough strength for today, so that I can continually put my focus on and rely upon him. In the back of my mind, I still have concerns about a future job role beyond my extension as work. But time and time again, God has reminded me to put my faith in him and he will supply for my needs doing just what He wants me to do. Today Father I put my trust in you and ask you for the strength for today and whatever happens. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interaction with others. I ask these things through your Son Jesus’ name, amen.
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