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.    Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

As Christians it’s important to realize that nowhere in the Bible does it say we will not face trials and tribulations, but there are many verses which assure us we will go through trials. We are also assured, as in our Scripture passage today, that we will overcome these trials if we maintain our faith in Jesus.

In verse 1 of Isaiah 43, God says, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

James 1:2-4 says to be joyful when we face various trials knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience or endurance. Endurance must do its complete work so that we may be mature, complete and lacking nothing. Trials are how we grow. Walking through the fire and the flood increases our faith as God walks through with us.

In Daniel 3:14-30, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the king’s statue. They were threatened with being thrown into a fiery furnace but still refused. They said God could rescue them from the furnace but even if God didn’t rescue them, they would not worship the king’s gods or his statue. The king had them bound and thrown into the fiery furnace. In verse 25 there were four men not bound walking around in fire. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego not only survived the fiery furnace, but came out not even smelling of smoke or having any soot on them.

As we walk through the flames or the trials of life today, know that if we are trusting God, He is walking with us. God didn’t stop them from being thrown into the fire, but He walked with them, He protected them through the flames and brought them out safely.

He will do the same for me and you today. We must have faith. We must trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to lean on our own understanding. Sometimes we have no idea why things go the way they do. But we can be assured God is in control. He’s got this. He will bring us through. We simply need to acknowledge Him in all we do and He will lead us on the right paths.

We all pray for things that God doesn’t grant us. We may pray for situations to get better that God seems to allow to get worse. I don’t understand it, but I have learned enough to know He has a plan. I know He is in control.

David said in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

There are times when I feel as though I am walking through flames. It gets pretty hot, I must admit. But, I know God is with me. I know He is there protecting me and guiding me.

In Galatians 5:16 we are told to walk in the Spirit so we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. My friend if you feel you are walking alone, know that God has not left you. We tend to walk away from God when we want to do things our way, but He promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

There are going to be times when we walk through the fiery flames but fear not. He will walk with us and protect us and guide us. All you have to do is trust in Him.

Stand strong knowing He is right there with you. He won’t let you be scorched by the fire.

Have a great day!