Overcoming the Storms of Life # 2: In the midst of storms, God is with us.
Isaiah 43: 1-2 (ESV) says, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Mothers of Nations, God promises to protect, comfort, strengthen, and guide those who love Him – those who have a personal relationship with Him. His Word confirms to us time and time again that no matter what we go through, He is always on our side and always with us. In Romans 8:3b we read. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We also find the promise in 1 Kings 8:51 that He will never leave us or forsake us.
I love the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace of Daniel 3.
Daniel 3: 16-18 (NLT) -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
These comments made King Nebuchadnezzar furious and he ordered the furnace seven times hotter. The three Hebrew young men were then tied up and thrown into the fire by the strongest of the King’s soldiers. We further read that Nebuchadnezzar then leaped to his feet and asked, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” And the soldiers replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” (vs. 24)
Verse 25 is one of my favorites as it so fully confirms that God is with us IN the storms of our lives. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” At that point Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” (vs. 26) And they did!
Everyone there witnessed that the fire had not harmed the bodies of these three Hebrew young men, nor was a hair of their heads singed. Their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Amen. Selah!
Truly, God was with them! And Mothers of Nations, the truth is that God will always be with US as well, no matter the fire, no matter the persecution, no matter the storm that comes our way.
Rev. Nola Beintema
