Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...

Isaiah 43:2

This passage has a whole new meaning, at least to me, about what it means "when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you..." From the lens you have been reading during this water series, these words should hopefully open up a new perspective. A Jewish reader would have read this understanding that what is meant is chaos. And when reading it this way, this reader would have known that what it means is that He will be with you during those times of chaos; the chaos will not overwhelm you because He is with you. Whoa. Let's pause here. He is with you. He is for you. He is present in the here and now. When you pass through chaos, that does not stop Him from being present. And His presence protects you from the overwhelming feelings. Life is overwhelming at times, but this verse would suggest that that means you are focused on the problem. Shift that focus to Him. It is right here that you have evidence that He is with you in those moments of struggle, chaos, trials, tribulations, and so forth.

Depression and anxiety might act like a smoke screen that hides your view from recognizing that He is with you. The symptoms of depression and anxiety might blind you from seeing Him there. The symptoms of depression and anxiety might blind you from seeing Him here, right now in this moment. That does not change His position; that only changes your awareness of His presence. When you have a hard time seeing God in something, whether it is depression or anxiety that blinds you from seeing Him, I want you to know something: That blindness does not change His position; it only changes your perspective. He is still present with you in those moments, even if you feel like you can't see Him. Depression and anxiety (or your own experiences of trials and tribulations) might make you feel like He is not present, but these experiences only change your ability to see Him; they do not change His proximity to you. Read that again: Your experiences might change your ability to see Him in your life, but these experiences do not change His proximity to you. He is still very much there, in the present with you, in the trial, in the tribulation. Change the focus from the problem, and put your eyes back on Him while in the problem. The problem only changes your vision, not His position in your life. Isaiah 43:2 is your God Message that He will be with you in the chaos, He will be with you in the struggle, He will be with you in the storm, He will be with you in whatever is your "water," and He will be with you to keep the "river" of your circumstances from overwhelming you.

Scripture:

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Reflection:

What "waters" have you found yourself passing through currently?

How does this verse change your current experience?

What might happen if you turn your focus back to Him and off the circumstances of the anxiety-producing situation or depressive situation?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for this verse. Thank you for this reminder about being close to us during difficult times. I pray for those who are in the midst of waters and are struggling. I pray that they know that you are with them. I pray that they know that you will be present with them. I pray that depression and anxiety do not sweep over them and that they can stay grounded in you. Lord, thank you for being present with us. I pray for the safety and comfort of all who are in the midst of chaos. I pray in your Son's holy name, Amen.