Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you! I have called you by name–you are Mine! 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, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!” Isaiah 43:1-3.
I read this verse this morning and was reminded of the reason we are not to fear. It doesn’t say “fear not, your trials won’t hurt… fear not, I’ll make this easy for you… fear not, ease and luxury are waiting for you right around this corner.” NO! it says “fear not for I have ransomed you.”
Once again, I find myself outside of my situation, looking at this verse and seeing it through the eyes of the gospel… Emily, don’t be afraid. Why? God has already saved you. He ransomed you when you were running straight towards hell. He captured your gaze and affection. Remember all of His promises… He chose you before the foundation of the world… He called you to be His child… He saved you… He declared you righteous… now He is working to conform you to His image… and one day He will present you perfectly faultless and fully glorified. yeah. don’t be afraid. The God who did / is doing all of that… uh huh… He hasn’t forgotten where you are.
That’s where the hope comes from… not “God, please, I beg you… take away this pain.” but instead “God, I’m so grateful you will NEVER ever leave me, not through the deepest darkest pain. Never ever!
Am I praying God heals me? Absolutely!! Do I want this awful season of migraines to end? Of course! But after all that has happened in the past few weeks in my life (sorry, too much to explain), I am more confident than ever that He will never leave. I’m more aware of His goodness and mercy in my life and I’m more grateful for my wise Father, my loving Jesus and my compassionate Holy Spirit than I ever have been before.
by the way, here’s a link to a REALLY GREAT sermon called “How the Trinity comforts us in our suffering” by Lance Quinn. I listened to it twice yesterday. I’d encourage you to check it out too! :)
