Not Consumed

Scripture – When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up—the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

Thoughts about what this Scripture means – God promises to be with us despite troubles, difficulties, or oppression. We will not drown or be consumed.

Application to my life – I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by troubles, difficulties, and oppression. The Bible doesn’t say “if”, it says “when”. Looking back, God has always been there. In my current season, God is here. I know He promises to never leave or forsake me.

Sometimes knowing He’s here still feels like He is far away. I realized it is part of my shield because God is just as close to me as I want Him to be. The Bible tells us draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

When I am in trouble God is there. Trouble used to be of my own making, but God was still there. Now sometimes trouble gets dumped on me, but God is still there.

Physical things seem less difficult but as God helps me to be vulnerable, rivers of emotion often flood my soul. Even though they are difficult for me to release, God won’t let me drown if I cling to Him. He reminds me He is with me because He is the key to not drowning.

And in the fire that burns up everything, I am not consumed. God is in the fire. He takes out what is not supposed to be there. The fire only takes out the impurities. It refines me. It does not consume me. The river washes me but doesn’t drown me.

Response back to God – Lord, I thank You that even in the troubled times, You are there. You are not there to harm me but to save me. Thank You for protection from the raging waters and the consuming fires. Use those times to draw me close to You, wash me, purify me, and refine me. I love you!