"Now this is what the Lord says - the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel - 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.'" (Isaiah 43:1-2, HCSB)

A friend of mine told me he took his family camping. They were not that experienced in camping so they rented a nice space in a campground and pitched their tent there. He, his wife and two sons, who were in grammar school, had a good time for the first day or two. Then about 3 a.m. a huge thunderstorm came through the area. There were many peals of loud thunder, torrential rain and heavy gusts of wind. My friend said he looked over and saw his older son and wife sitting up, scared with all that was going on around them. He was concerned that the wind might blow the tent away and they would all get drenched. The younger son woke up after one loud thunderclap but then laid back down and went back to sleep.

In the above Scripture Isaiah was prophesying to the whole nation of Israel. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had already been taken into exile but the Southern Kingdom of Judah would be taken into exile in the future. God was speaking through Isaiah to tell his people that He had redeemed them and brought them to the Promised Land. He said they would have their trouble but He would be with them during these troubles.

If Jesus Christ has called you by name and you have accepted Him as your Redeemer, He will be with you no matter what the circumstance. This Scripture says that there will be some bad times. Jesus Himself said that the Christian life would not be a bed of roses as some preach today. He said there would be storms but He will be with you in the middle of these storms.

The boy who went back to sleep during the thunderstorm shows the kind of peace that the psalmist wrote about:

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8, ESV)

If you put your complete trust in Jesus Christ He will give you the same peace no matter what kind of storm you are going through.

By Dean W. Masters

Owner of the Master's List.
Unedited redistribution approved