DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - SWIMMING IN THE DEEP END. The Conclusion.

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them but to cleanse them. - Source Unknown.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; – Isaiah 43:2a. ESV

As we conclude our series on “Swimming In The Deep End,” we are reminded that when we get into "deep water," and we can’t touch bottom, it seems like we are about to drown, it seems like we might not make it back to safety this time. But we have the assurance that our God is with us. He reminds us that He will be with us and that the water will not overwhelm us, He will intervene and deliver us. Hallelujah! What an awesome God we serve!

“they shall not overwhelm you;” - MEANS WE WILL LEARN TO SWIM!

Being In The Flood Makes Us Stronger
Many Christians only think of God when they are in deep water, they get in trouble and they scream for God, they get out of trouble, and they run back to their sin and rebellion. When we take a stand for God, the flood waters start rising, and it always gets worse before it gets better...

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. - Jam 1:2-3.

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our life through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way;
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
- Source Unknown.

When We Think We Are Weak, We Are Strong
We are only strong when we realise our own weaknesses... But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Cor 12:9-10.

When we realise that we can't do anything, we will finally let Christ do something through us, and when we turn loose and let God take over we become strong. It’s a lot like swimming, as long as we are afraid, we beat the water and flail our arms, and we go under, when we quit fighting the water and let the water hold us up, then we can swim.

There is no situation I can get into that God cannot get me out. Some years ago when I was learning to fly, my instructor told me to put the plane into a steep and extended dive. I was totally unprepared for what was about to happen. After a brief time the engine stalled, and the plane began to plunge out-of-control. It soon became evident that the instructor was not going to help me at all. After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, my mind began to function again. I quickly corrected the situation.

Immediately I turned to the instructor and began to vent my fearful frustrations on him. He very calmly said to me, "There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again."

At that moment God seemed to be saying to me, "Remember this. As you serve Me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right." That lesson has been proven true in my ministry many times over the years. - James Brown.

God’s Grace And Presence Is All We Need To Swim
He gives us provision when we are needy, He gives us peace when we are troubled, He gives us perseverance when we are struggling, He gives us healing when we are sick, He gives us comfort when we are grieving, and He gives us strength when we are tempted!

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. - 2Co 9:8.

When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day's pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award.

But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award--yet receives such a gift anyway--that is a good picture of God's unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God. - G.W. Knight.

The waters never get too deep for our God! There is no problem that He can’t handle! Hallelujah! What an awesome God we serve!

Loving Father, I thank you that when I am going through trial and troubles, you will be with me and I will not be harmed! Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to use my experiences to help others see the light, at the end of their tunnels! In Jesus wonderful name I pray! Amen!

GBYAY