Hey Gems! This is the start of a new week on the blog and I'm introducing a new weekly post called VOTW.
VOTW stands for verse of the week and it's a weekly post in which I share a scripture, break it down, give you questions to ponder and then a weekly dare pertaining to the verse to keep in mind for the entire week. It's a way to keep the Word of God at the forefront of your mind and help you apply it.
This is the very first VOTW on the blog and this week's verse is a focus on Isaiah 43:2 in the NKJV translation:
This verse, from the prophet Isaiah, starts off by saying "when you pass through the waters" in essence, there's no doubt that you will have waters to pass through. Now waters, in reference to this verse, means deep waters which can cause distress (see here for more info). Obstacles will come and there is no avoiding them. However, those who believe in Jesus and know God have no need to worry because He tells us clearly, "I will be with you." God will always be their in the midst of troubled waters and even calm ones. He will not leave us unprotected. Have you gone through trials and not had God's protection and/or hand over you?
The next part of the verse says, "and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." This makes me wonder if I've ever truly been overwhelmed by my trials. The answer: no. God has always been there with me never allowing my trials to overtake me. When I felt as if I was going to lose my mind, He was right there to remind me of who He is and will forever be. Have you ever been overtaken by your trials?
Then it follows up with "when you walk through the fire" and I mean I don't know about you, but there have been situations where I felt like was going to get burned. There are times even now that I fell as if I'm going to be scorched, but again, God tells me "you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." I can go through the fires in my life unscathed. This does not mean I won't suffer, but while suffering, He will still protect me. This reminds me of the story of Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:19-25 and how they were preserved in the fire by the presence of God. This lets us know that God (His presence, His hand and His protection) will be by us when things heat up and try to burn us. Have you ever been scorched or burned by situation that broke you to the point of being unusable by God?
No matter what we think or see. We need to understand that trials are inevitable for us. They are used to mature our faith, help us grow in our walk and for God's glory. However, we can be sure that in going through our trials that we are not alone. God is forever with us through all those times whether we feel His presence or not.
Another thing to keep in mind is that we go through troubled, deep waters and fires because our enemies can't swim or survive in the flames. God has anointed us and He makes sure that His anointed cannot be overtaken, burned or overwhelmed because He can guarantee that He is ALWAYS near us.
So this week when you may struggle and have an obstacle or a few thrown at you, remember this: You don't have to panic. You don't have to fear. You don't have to run as if you don't trust God. He will and can strengthen you in your trials so that you can walk through them.
Every trial is a test of faith. The waters strengthen you and the fire removes that which is not a help to your walk.
Blessings,VOTW stands for verse of the week and it's a weekly post in which I share a scripture, break it down, give you questions to ponder and then a weekly dare pertaining to the verse to keep in mind for the entire week. It's a way to keep the Word of God at the forefront of your mind and help you apply it.
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.Why did I pick this verse for the first VOTW? It's really simple...have you ever asked yourself why God has you going through the storm and the fire? Or better yet have you asked why He is taking you through troubled waters? The answer is two fold really and today I'll examine it and give you something to think about this week.
This verse, from the prophet Isaiah, starts off by saying "when you pass through the waters" in essence, there's no doubt that you will have waters to pass through. Now waters, in reference to this verse, means deep waters which can cause distress (see here for more info). Obstacles will come and there is no avoiding them. However, those who believe in Jesus and know God have no need to worry because He tells us clearly, "I will be with you." God will always be their in the midst of troubled waters and even calm ones. He will not leave us unprotected. Have you gone through trials and not had God's protection and/or hand over you?
The next part of the verse says, "and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." This makes me wonder if I've ever truly been overwhelmed by my trials. The answer: no. God has always been there with me never allowing my trials to overtake me. When I felt as if I was going to lose my mind, He was right there to remind me of who He is and will forever be. Have you ever been overtaken by your trials?
Then it follows up with "when you walk through the fire" and I mean I don't know about you, but there have been situations where I felt like was going to get burned. There are times even now that I fell as if I'm going to be scorched, but again, God tells me "you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." I can go through the fires in my life unscathed. This does not mean I won't suffer, but while suffering, He will still protect me. This reminds me of the story of Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:19-25 and how they were preserved in the fire by the presence of God. This lets us know that God (His presence, His hand and His protection) will be by us when things heat up and try to burn us. Have you ever been scorched or burned by situation that broke you to the point of being unusable by God?
No matter what we think or see. We need to understand that trials are inevitable for us. They are used to mature our faith, help us grow in our walk and for God's glory. However, we can be sure that in going through our trials that we are not alone. God is forever with us through all those times whether we feel His presence or not.
Another thing to keep in mind is that we go through troubled, deep waters and fires because our enemies can't swim or survive in the flames. God has anointed us and He makes sure that His anointed cannot be overtaken, burned or overwhelmed because He can guarantee that He is ALWAYS near us.
So this week when you may struggle and have an obstacle or a few thrown at you, remember this: You don't have to panic. You don't have to fear. You don't have to run as if you don't trust God. He will and can strengthen you in your trials so that you can walk through them.
Every trial is a test of faith. The waters strengthen you and the fire removes that which is not a help to your walk.
Weekly Dare:
As you go through, keep in your mind that God IS with you.
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