July 15

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:1-2

Many people have, on the subject of trials and tribulations, mis-interpreted another Bible passage, claiming that God won’t give us more than we can handle. (That happens to be all about temptation to un-faith, not directly about trouble ~ it is 1 Corinthians 10:13 which actually says, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure). The Isaiah passage above is the truth about trouble: God stands by those who have given themselves over to God’s care, God’s redemption, God’s ownership. God is indeed that big and that powerful that we go through absolutely nothing without his foreknowledge, protection, AND company ~ if you have responded when you heard God call you! You ARE his, and nothing you endure in this life has to be endured alone.

Pastor Lisa Bosworth