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. Isaiah 43:2
Have you felt overwhelmed by the state of our world today? It seems as if everywhere we turn, there is more bad news. We, along with our friends and loved ones, face unexpected suffering and heartache. As I observe the pain and devastation around me, I want to ask so many questions like, “Will this ever end?” and “How can I cling to hope amidst the suffering around me?” Maybe you can relate, too. The truth is, as long as we live here on this earth, we will face suffering and pain, and we will watch those we love, and even strangers, face heartache, too. Our hard times will lead us to have questions, and that is normal. Amidst all of these questions, God offers us His presence, and His presence makes all the difference.
One person who certainly understood that this life brings difficulties and struggles was John the Baptist. We were reminded during the weekend message that John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. He was born shortly before Jesus, and his calling in life was to prepare people for Jesus' ministry. John 1 tells us that John recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. As he saw Jesus coming toward him and a crowd of people, John the Baptist called out, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (verse 29). John was one of the few people who knew who Jesus was, and he spent his life pointing others to Him. He gave up everything to point everyone around him to Jesus, and his life was not easy. In Matthew 11, we find out that John the Baptist had been arrested and put in prison. Specifically, as we learned during the weekend message, he was imprisoned by King Herod Antipas for speaking out against the king’s marriage to his half-brother’s wife. Life for John the Baptist was not easy, but Scripture does not promise that life will be easy. In fact, even Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:33, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” Indeed, sin has completely infiltrated this world and everything in it, bringing sorrow, pain, and suffering here on this earth. We are not, however, without hope. You see, Jesus added to His teaching that this world is filled with trouble and pain, saying, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
There is another promise we are given throughout Scripture as we face difficult times: God is with us and present during our trials and suffering. Isaiah 43:2-3 says these beautiful words: “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.” Whatever we walk through, even when we walk through deep waters and fire, God is with us. Because He is with us, we can be confident that He will help us walk through whatever we face. He is present with us in our suffering, and His presence makes all the difference for us.
What are you walking through today? Are you walking through a trial or suffering today? My prayer today is that you find comfort in the truth that God is with you. He will never leave you. He will help you face anything that this world brings. You never have to walk through anything alone. The God of the universe is right there with you, by your side.
Memorize Isaiah 43:2 today. Commit it to memory and think about it often. Whenever difficult times come, and they will, hold on to the promise you can claim during difficult times: You are not alone. God is with you every step of the way, carrying you, supporting you when you feel weak, and still at work in this world that has been riddled with sin.
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
“God, as I reflect on the truth that You are always with me, I thank You for”
Going Deeper
Isaiah 43:1-28
1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 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; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
14 This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. 15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”
16 This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. 20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel. 23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense. 24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. 27 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me. 28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.
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