When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. Isaiah 43:2
As I write this devotion from the Lutherhostel at Camp Lone Star in central Texas, the people around me are smiling. They are smiling because after months of no rain, they are in the midst of a three day deluge. They are smiling because, while the drought is far from over their stock ponds are filling, their streams are flowing, and the crops are growing.
Last night, as Keith Lund, my friend and co-worker of 30 years, drove Pam and myself 200 miles from Dallas to Lagrange I was not smiling.
It’s not that Keith isn’t a good driver. He is. I have seen him plow through blizzards and slide through ice storms. I have known him to travel on roads which have been washed out and snowed shut. Even so, last night I was not smiling. I was praying. I was praying because almost of our nighttime trip was filled with rain. Did I say “filled” with rain? It was overflowing with rain. It rained cats and dogs, and any other animal you can think of. It rained so hard that it was impossible for me to see the center of the road, the edge of the road, and most of the time, any road at all.
Did I mention it was scary?
At one point I asked Keith, “Do you need to pull over?” He laughed and said, “No, it’s all right, I’ve driven this road hundreds of times.” When I inquired, “Can you see where you’re going?” he answered, “I know where we are. I know where we’re going. Don’t worry.” The last sixty miles of the trip were easy. They were easy because I stopped worrying and trusted my friend to know the way and take me safely to where I was supposed to be.
Although I certainly don’t know the life situation of all who are reading this devotion, I do know that this day may find some of you more than a little frightened. You are on a dark and rainy road unsure of what is ahead, uncertain of what lies around the next turn. If that describes you, I might suggest two things. First, your worrying is not going to help you get through your storm any faster or safer. Second, remember you have, in Jesus, a dear Brother who knows the way to where you are going. Trust Him. He has promised to take you safely to your destination. He who gave His life, so you might have life, has promised never to leave you or forsake you.
Trust Jesus and know that when you pass through the waters, He will be with you. And when you find yourself at a flooded river, you will not be overwhelmed.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, there are many storms which swirl around us, which threaten to overwhelm us. Send Your Holy Spirit so I may trust and not be afraid. Grant me the faith to believe You will keep me safe and on the safe road to heaven. In Your Name. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 31-33 Luke 1:39-56
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