Journey of Fire and Water

by: Carole L. Haines

Psalm 30:5b- “Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

“It’s been a long night, then Lord!” That was the response in my mind when I read these words this morning. The struggles and trials have just kept coming, like waves rolling onto the seashore. Some waves have been enormous, knocking us off our feet and dragging us out toward the sea, like being caught in a riptide. Yet God is with us on the seashore and rescues us from those waves. Though the waves have never ceased, God has stood with us in the waves and never allowed them to overwhelm our souls to the point of death.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.” (Isaiah 43:2 NASB)

I was transfixed on a picture of the Donnie Creek fire in Northeastern British Columbia. I was staring at that massive, intense and overwhelming flood of flame. As I gazed upon its inevitable destruction and pondered the flames I myself am walking through right now; whispers inside my head began to emerge about just how easy it would be to walk toward that fire and let it consume all these troubles. I was shocked at the thought in my head, yet as I gazed at that picture, I saw in the flames the face of satan, accompanied by some of his demons. That is when I realized who the author of those thoughts was, and I shut him down by the power of Jesus’ promises and the authority of His Word. As in the Scripture above, “When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” I cried out to God and He is answering my prayers for relief amid these flaming circumstances through which I walk.

He is walking with you as well, my dear friend, as you lean deeper, stronger, harder into Him amid your own journey of fire and water. There is a promise never spoken of in any sermon I have ever heard.

³³ These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NASB)

Truly in this world we do have trouble, so much of it; but we can take heart. We need to take heart because Jesus has overcome the world and all its troubles. Let us shout that from the rooftops together.

“JESUS HAS OVERCOME THIS WORLD AND ALL ITS TROUBLE.”

That is my comfort in the midst of it all. May it be your comfort too.