The Word - May 7, 2012 - TRIALS COME AND GO

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God" (Isaiah 43:2,3a)

God has only one path for every one of His children. It is through! Every trial, regardless of its severity or how long it lasts, is only temporary, for we are going through!

Three times our Scripture says "through". God did not lead Israel around the wilderness, but through it. It is necessary for us to experience trials. There is a "needs-be" to every trial along the way. His ways with us are past finding out, but beloved, the destination is unmistakable; We are eventually going home!

It is true for everyone of us, at all times, in every situation, because we can confidently say: "The Lord is my shepherd"....surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."


Not only is this so, but we have the assurance that His presence will go with us for every step of the journey. Yes, we can say with confidence, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4).

It is not "if" you pass through the waters, but "when". It is absolutely certain that no child of God will enjoy clear sailing through life. The Father loves His children far too much for that. "If you are without chastising, of which all are partakers, then you are illegitimate and not children...... whom the Lord loves, He chastens and scourges every child that is His."

God's purpose through the trials is to conform us more and more to the image of His Son. "When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, My grace all-sufficient, shall be your supply. The flame shall not hurt you; I only design Your dross to consume, and your gold to refine."

Take courage dear friends, "No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11).