Isaiah 43:1-2 says:
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.
There are many conditionals in the Bible, the "if"s that may happen or may not. Trials are not an "if", they are a "When". WHEN you pass through the waters, WHEN you walk through the fire. Trials will happen, but the beautiful thing is that if we are the Lord's, we are protected. This week has brought with it a few surprises, nothing big or terribly unbearable, but challenging enough to bring me to my knees before the Deliverer. It seems that with every new thing, and every time with God in brokenness, our relationship gets stronger, and it's helping me appreciate these times more and more. God sent angels to minister to Jesus after His time in the desert, God has been sending angels (messengers) to me lately as well. I've had four people proclaim over me, discuss with me, or bring up in corporate settings that "the joy of the Lord is our strength" (the latter half of Nehemiah 8:10). It's a commonly quoted verse, but it's been speaking volumes over my life.
Praise to God, "Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire." Psalm 104:4/ Hebrews 1:7. Be encouraged in trials this coming week, as we have a God in heaven and within us who cares for us.
