Are You Disaster-Proof?
Today’s Verse:
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ~Isaiah 43:2
Here in Northern California, we have seen our share of natural disasters. Torrential rains have lead to dry creek beds, streams, and rivers overflowing. Raging fires that have started in the wilderness or hard-to-get-to areas have spread quickly and burned everything in their path. The loss of forests, animal life, property damage, and human life has been tragic and heart rending. Spiritually, we face disasters that are compared to fire and floods. Yet, God said that He is with us. Let us be encouraged this morning on being disaster-proof.
We see the pressures.
There is peril in walking through a fast-flowing river in order get to the other side. With the flow going against us and the water flowing over our heads, we have great fear of being swept away or drowning. When there is a raging fire on all sides of us, we face the fear of having to walk through it in the hopes of escape. These pictures represent the real-life, difficult trials that we will face. We will have to pass through waters that look like they might overflow and drown us. We will have to walk through a fire and maybe even a fiery furnace. The fear of drowning or being burned terrifies us to the point that we think we will die or give up and quit before we even try to endure our circumstance.
We see the promise.
God gives us a promise that is faithful and true. We have the promise of His presence: “I will be with thee.” God is with us every step of the way. God is with us as we feel the water rushing and rising. God is with us as we feel the heat of the fire. He is with us always, no matter what. We have the promise of His protection. He said that the waters shall not overflow thee. Your head will stay above the water! He said, “when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” In effect, God’s promise to His people is that we are floodproof and fireproof. Whatever we may face, God keeps us disaster-proof.
We see the precedents.
There is the Red Sea crossing. Humanly, no one could walk or swim across. God sent a wind that separated the waters and enabled His people to walk over on dry ground. There is the Jordan River crossing by Joshua and the Israelites and, years later, by both Elijah and Elisha. God separated the overflowing Jordan and they crossed over unharmed. Elisha cried out, “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” as he started to walk over. The waters did not touch them. God gives you and me a greater promise: the waters shall not overflow us. Then, there is Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow to the pagan king’s image. Their bodies, hair, and clothing were untouched by the flames, and the smell of smoke was not on them. “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land…. Quenched the violence of fire.”
Are you walking through a perilous river or a raging fire? God is with you! God will not let the waters flow over your head or the flames burn you. Keep trusting God and keep walking forward in faith.
Have a disaster-proof God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Lamentations 3-5