“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and 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.” (Isaiah 43:2)
When life is difficult — when our days feel more like a bitter burning than a balmy blessing — we need the Almighty more than we need answers. When we embrace that truth and simply seek the presence of God more than we are seeking to understand our circumstances, we will be able to rise above life’s inevitable challenges and experience what God is doing both in and through us.
Now, it’s natural for us to ask why questions when we are facing trials and difficult circumstances in life. But information alone is never enough to heal a hurting heart, minister to a maligned mind, or satisfy a searching soul. Rather, we need the One who has promised never to leave us or forsake us, He is working everything together for our ultimate good and His glory. Only in the presence of the Almighty will we be able to become better through our trials, rather than bitter.
There is no better example of this in all of sacred Scripture than the story of Job. When God gave Satan permission to attack Job, taking his health, wealth, and all ten of his children, Job asked question after question of God. In the end, however, instead of answers, Job was given the assurance of God’s presence . . . and that was enough. Job responded humbly to the Lord —
“You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:4-6)
No matter what you are going through, seeking the presence of the Almighty is better than seeking answers. When we are focused on trying to figure out what is going on and why, we are likely to miss the Who — the One who is with us every step of the way, even in the midst of the most fiery trials. Keep in mind that it was the Almighty who came into this world in the person of Jesus Christ and endured the most horrific storm the world has ever seen, drinking the cup of God’s wrath and judgment while nailed to a cruel cross to pay the penalty for all our sins. He did that so He could be in relationship with us.
Let that truth set you free to press into the presence of the Almighty when you are in the midst of trials, rather than pressing for answers.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 