40 Days of Encouragement
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 2 | SURVIVING THE TOUGH TIMES
40 Days of Encouragement
Day 2 | SURVIVING THE TOUGH TIMES
SURVIVING THE TOUGH TIMES
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.” (NIV)
Have you ever been near a fire? Not a fireplace, but an uncontrolled blaze with sparks and embers flying everywhere? Well, being a life-long Californian, I have.
And I remember the first time. I am the oldest of three kids and we were vacationing with mom and dad in a rustic cabin by the popular Bass Lake in Northern California. As it happened, it was at night and all five of us were asleep. I was probably about ten at the time.
Suddenly, our mom woke us all up in a panic. We all hustled out to the car and saw next door another cabin fully engulfed in flames. Yes, it was scary! And the fact that I can still remember the sights, sounds, and feelings, helps illustrate the poignancy of the moment.
Dad drove us out, away from the lake and down the road many miles. Then he pulled over… and we waited. I remember they had the radio on and playing music. Mom was “done” and just wanted to go home, but dad calmed us all down and a few hours later, we returned to our cabin – the fire next door out – but with a smoke smell everywhere.
In life, we all pass through rivers, waters, and fires of sorts. Perhaps not literal, but figuratively. And in times like those, we become afraid and need a guide, a shepherd… our Heavenly Father to care for us and get us through. The encouraging news is that the LORD offers that to all His children.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for being willing and able to guide us safely out of whatever we are going through. Sometimes the waters are deep. Other times the flames are hot, but YOU, Lord, know the way to safety. Amen.
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.” (NIV)
Have you ever been near a fire? Not a fireplace, but an uncontrolled blaze with sparks and embers flying everywhere? Well, being a life-long Californian, I have.
And I remember the first time. I am the oldest of three kids and we were vacationing with mom and dad in a rustic cabin by the popular Bass Lake in Northern California. As it happened, it was at night and all five of us were asleep. I was probably about ten at the time.
Suddenly, our mom woke us all up in a panic. We all hustled out to the car and saw next door another cabin fully engulfed in flames. Yes, it was scary! And the fact that I can still remember the sights, sounds, and feelings, helps illustrate the poignancy of the moment.
Dad drove us out, away from the lake and down the road many miles. Then he pulled over… and we waited. I remember they had the radio on and playing music. Mom was “done” and just wanted to go home, but dad calmed us all down and a few hours later, we returned to our cabin – the fire next door out – but with a smoke smell everywhere.
In life, we all pass through rivers, waters, and fires of sorts. Perhaps not literal, but figuratively. And in times like those, we become afraid and need a guide, a shepherd… our Heavenly Father to care for us and get us through. The encouraging news is that the LORD offers that to all His children.
Prayer: LORD, thank You for being willing and able to guide us safely out of whatever we are going through. Sometimes the waters are deep. Other times the flames are hot, but YOU, Lord, know the way to safety. Amen.
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