Isaiah 43:1…O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, 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.

I have caught myself praying for life to be easy enough that I would lose my need for dependence on God. Of course I don’t come right out and say that out loud, but that is the pattern my prayer often takes. I am not convinced that God is going to elevate our life to a place where we do not recognize our need for Him. There are two very present realities you must face as a believer. The first reality is that as you serve God, there will be hardships that come your way. You can do your best to side step some problems but eventually they come to you. The Lord said in Isaiah 43 that “when you go through” problems He would be with you. Notice that God did not say “if.” Problems are a guaranteed reality in life. Jesus said the same thing in John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus did not let you know that problems were a certainty so that you would live your life in worry. He let you know that problems would come so that you could have peace.

The second reality you must face as a believer is the reality that God is greater than the problems that come. Isaiah said when these problems come He would “be with you.” God commits Himself to be your sustainer through rivers of difficulty, fires of oppression, and the deep waters of impossibility. He sticks with you because He created you, redeemed you, and loves you. Like any good father, He will not leave His children. He has invested His greatest treasure into the redeeming of your life. He will not abandon you.

Today’s Challenge: If you find yourself in a place of difficulty, realize that God is traveling through it with you. You may not be able to overcome it in your own power but you can make it through if you lean on His power. Pray today to experience the sustaining power of Jesus. He is closer than you realize.