“Walking Through Fire With God”
[God speaking] “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.”
Andy (our community host and newsletter editor) writes:
As many of you no doubt remember, last month in San Diego (where I live) wildfires consumed thousands of acres … and homes. It was scary. For several days, nobody could predict which direction the fires were going to move in or when they would be contained.
In the midst of this, I received a playful email message from my good friend Johanna, who lives in Chicago. Johanna, who regularly sends me Bible passages via email to encourage me, was delighted (I could tell) that she had found the perfect verse for the wildfire situation.
What verse did she send me? Isaiah 43:2, which reads, “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.”
You may be chuckling. I know I was … and I know Johanna was. But she was also sincere. So I sat with that verse for a bit (as I’m doing now actually), and I deeply sensed God’s loving, protecting presence.
What I sensed God saying to me was, “I’ve got you. No matter what, you’re safe.” God’s words to me had nothing to do with the wildfires (because I was well out of harm’s way); God was reassuring me about every situation and aspect in my life, past, present and future. “I’ve got you; you’re safe.”
So thanks, Johanna, for the chuckle and for the doorway into a wonderful experience of God’s presence. That’s what friends are for, right?
To comment, use the comment box below. I look forward to hearing from you!
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on November 21st, 2007 and filed under Team Corner, ABS Stories, God's Sovereignty.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Dear Andy:
Your masterpiece on Johanna’s quotation of Isaiah 43:2 is certainly a much needed panacea, and thus comfort and joy for the brave soldiers in Iraq, for the innumrable fellowmen who are suffering from water and fire, pestilence in the world….
Thank you for renewal of faith in our All Mighty God in this Thanksgiving season.
Mary Sun.
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:41 am
Hello, firefighter
You gave us a good verse from bible. Instead,why don’t you share something about how God brought people together through this deeply inferno. Indeed,this fire did burn down so many acres, yet I believed this fire also kindled people’s love they didn’t show off easily. Don’t you see how God brought isrealites together by the rebuilding of temple in Jeruslem. What’s lesson that God edified us through this inferno? I think that whatever God made will be like a double-edged sword. How could a huge inferno bring glory to God? Had God reached out, I thought just a cloud overhead would have beaten tons of chemicals dropped by choppers.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Tan up, thanks for your comments. I totally agree that God can use tough, painful situations (such as the wildfires in San Diego) to transform us and lead us deeper into Love.
And, yea, I definitely witnessed an amazing outpouring of love from the San Diego community. Everybody came together to help and support the fire victims. It was truly beautiful. And I know that something happened inside of me as I witnessed and experienced the outpouring of love. I feel a bit more connected with those around me and bit more generous and compassionate. I’m grateful for that.
Thanks again, Tan up!