Good Morning to you from Karen Schuck, Luanne's Personal Assistant, writing to you today and filling in for her.

I know that a lot of people have been going through some difficult times, so let’s look at what one of the scriptures has to say about that.

Isaiah 43:1-2 (Amplified)

¹ But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name: you are Mine.

²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

This is addressed to Israel, but we who believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord have been adopted and grafted in, so we can take these words as spoken to us.

First of all, God reminds us that He created us – that means He understands us and knows us because He made us!  Then He says, “Fear not” – He continually reminds us (at least 365 times in the Bible) not to be afraid.  Why shouldn't we be afraid? Because He has redeemed us (He paid a price for us by giving Jesus His Son), He has called us by name (again, He knows us very well), and because we are His, which means He will take care of us.

Then He tells us when we pass through the waters, He will be with us – as He was with Israel when He led them out of Egypt and they crossed through the Red Sea as though on dry land (see Exodus 14).  And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you – as He was with Israel when they had to cross the Jordan River to get to the Promised Land (see Joshua 3).  And when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you – as when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown in the fiery furnace, and there was a “fourth man” in the furnace and not only were they not burned when they came out, but they didn't even have the smell of smoke on them (see Daniel 3)!

Notice that He said when (not if) you go through these things in your life, He will be with you, He won't allow them to overwhelm you or burn you.  So friend, whether it seems like you have been "put through the wringer" because of the waters,  or like right now you are "up the creek without a paddle', or whether there is a fiery furnace in your future, remember God is with you!  Remember this scripture, the others I've mentioned, and then connect them to Psalm 23:4 – Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, (or the waters, or the river, or the fire) I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.