When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2 KJV
I am yet to find any verse in the Bible that assures me that life in Christ keeps me away from tough times. We are now trying to feed new converts with the false message that Christ is a good God who does not do bad things or allow bad things happen to those who are his children. When the 'not so good' things then happen, it is hard to accept or submit to, because it goes against all that had been taught. What is the truth that God would have me know, going forward?
First of all, sin is the one thing that will definitely truncate whatever good plan God has for me. It does not matter what my now looks like; if there is sin in my life, there is no real future to look forward to, because sin will destroy a life. The people of Israel saw this firsthand, as God punished them for their rebellion. God did not care that they were his own chosen people; if God could deal with Israel this way, there is no one that is beyond punishment for sin. That should make me both fearful and expectant.
It was sin that also prescribed the solution. For me to enjoy all that God promises, he had to provide a way for me to return to him. Sin was a barrier that could not let a holy God look on a mortal and sinful man. Sin's price was the life of his son, Jesus. Once the price was paid, the prize was earned. All other things linked to Jesus became accessible. The life of Jesus became my life, and all that he is and has have become mine.
All good, but while I wait for the full manifestation, I must learn to depend on God for the daily fights that will come my way. I say again: nowhere does God promise that being in him keeps me from trials and tough times. The key ingredients in all of the drama that will definitely come are the words: "I will be with you." There is nothing that can beat that. It is the message I need for the challenges that must come. Those challenges are represented by the waters and the fire. There is nothing in nature that can be left untouched by both water and fire. Both leave indelible marks on anything or anyone they touch.
Fire will clean the dross and the dirt and leave the material pure and clean. Water will cleanse dirt, no matter how long it has been there for. Yet, in all, God says he will be with me, even when water and fire are in operation. It means that it is only God can suspend the natural operation of fire and water so he can do that which he alone can do. He is the supernatural God who can suspend the natural, so that natural man can experience the supernatural God. The testimony of God's might and power is seen when that which should consume me makes me strong, and that which should naturally end my life gives me a new life. That is what God can do, and that is why God's promise is the one thing my life needs. I must make sure that I am on God's side, so that all of him is all I have. When I have that promise of his presence, it does not matter what else comes. If he is not on my side, it does not matter who else is on my side. Am I on God's side? Does he know me as his own? Is his presence all that matters or do I have any other confidence? His time of favour is here.
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