ISAIAH 43:2 (NLT)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
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
Jesus is a God of ALL seasons. He promises to be with you through the thick and thin of life, through all your happy and sad moments, through all your hurts and disappointments. All His promises are true, yes and Amen
I have been meditating on this scripture for the past 1 week and I got a totally different revelation on them which I would love to share with you
The above verses are one of my favorites to cling onto ,especially during the tough moments. The calming re-assurance that God is with us, for us and will take us through the situation is all we need to know during our rough battles with life
Whilst we do have the re-assurance that God is with us ALL the time, if we closely look at the scripture God wants us to DO something in the midst of the trials and temptations. That’s right, God calls for ACTION not mere faith
Bible tells us in James 2:17 Faith without actions is dead
I want to highlight 3 things that can help and encourage you not just RISE ABOVE the waters but also WALK ON the most toughest raging storm in your life
DON'T DOUBT
To rise above any situation, you need to look up, for the real help comes from God. You need to conquer the fear of DOUBT
Joyce Meyer says ‘If you are afraid, just DO IT AFRAID '
Read Matt 14:22-23
When Jesus told Peter to walk on the waters, Peter had 2 choices
Either sit in the boat scared like the rest of the disciples
Trust Jesus and take a step out on the waters
Peter chose the 2nd option. Peter told Jesus earlier that if it was Him, to ask Him to walk on the waters just like Jesus did. And God answered Him. When God answered, Peter boldly stepped out without doubting God.
Peter did WALK on the water initially focusing on Jesus. He was confident stepping forward on the waters towards Jesus. But when the wind came, he was afraid and lost his focus. Rather than focusing on Jesus and keep pressing on, he took His eyes off Jesus and started focusing on the wind that was disturbing. As a result, He started to sink. Immediately Jesus reached out to Him and grabbed his hand. Jesus said ‘ You of little faith, why did you doubt ?’
So often it happens that during our difficult times, inspire of knowing God and His awesome redeeming power, we tend focus on our situation, our uncertainties and our impossibilities.God’s Word re-assures you today not to be afraid and trust in Him. No matter how big the mountain if you keep your eyes and heart focused on Jesus, He will reach out
When you pray for something and God answers in the softest whispers, the first thing is to OBEY and STEP OUT, no matter how senseless God’s answer sounds to your logical reasoning mind. Have you been praying for a situation in your life? Is God’s answer to your prayers something that does not makes sense to you? God wants to assure you this day this moment that He has bigger plans for you. He wants you to conquer your doubt and DO IT AFRAID.
There is nothing to be afraid of when the All Mighty God has got your back
Declare the promise Psalm 23:4 over yourself and set into action
‘ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me ‘
Obey His Word no matter how hard it might be
When you one small step towards conquering your fear and doubt , God honors those baby steps.
Read Exodus 14:21- 22
The same God who parted the red sea and made His people cross the sea walking on dry ground , is powerful enough to deal with your giant situation, whatever it might be
Read Daniel 3:16-18
Stand your ground for your faith and love for God, no matter how hard the situation.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego obeyed God unconditionally. They did not make a deal with God. They did not tell God ‘ Ok God, if you deliver us from this burning flame of furnace, then we will worship you ‘ . They stood their ground declaring their love and confidence in God . God did delivered them miraculously, totally unharmed.
Though we experience God’s protection and love through the fiery trials of life, sometimes the purpose of those flames is not just for our own experience. It is also for the encouragement of others that go through a similar situation as us. Our lives during those situations stands as a testimony for them to witness the protection, love, faithfulness and peace of God we get during those circumstances from God
Whatever situation you might be facing today, whatever unanswered prayers you might have, whatever hopeless feeling you might be experiencing today, can I encourage you to trust God, fix your eyes on Jesus and take a bold step of faith towards the solution. When you take one step, God walks with you side by side enabling you to conquer whatever is troubling you.
Finally I want to encourage you with these words
It’s time to QUIT feeling drowned in the waters of life
It’s time to STOP being in despair and hopelessness
Its’ time to FIX your eyes on JESUS
It’s time to RISE ABOVE the waves
It’s TIME to WALK ON the waters , Soldier of Christ
Dear Jesus ,
As we take a bold step of faith in response to your Word today, as we look to you for answered prayers, as we fix our eyes on you for our toughest situations and chose to stay positive and hold onto the hope you have given us, May your peace encompass us and your grace abound us with the strength for the battle
In Jesus Name
Amen