DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT TUESDAY - SWIMMING IN THE DEEP END! Part 1.

If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles in the backside, you wouldn't be able to sit down for two weeks. – Bits and Pieces.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. – Isaiah 43:2. ESV

Sometimes we get into what we could call "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!

In adversity we usually want God to do a removing job when He wants to do an improving job. To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the storm. - Source Unknown.

"WHEN YOU" – YOU AND ME
This means that we will have troubles, but we will pass through! Notice that it does not say, "IF you pass through the waters..." It’s not just a possibility, it is inevitable. It does not say, "When SOME pass through the waters…" Everyone will pass through deep waters at some time.

It does not say, "When SINNERS pass through the waters…" Deep water is not just something that happens because of sin. God did not say, "When HIS ENEMIES pass through the waters…" Deep water is not a punishment from God. He said, "WHEN YOU…" "WHEN YOU…" Mark it down, YOU WILL, that’s you and I, we will pass through the deep waters of life.

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity. - Ben Jonson.

The Bible Teaches That We All Have To Face It... "Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. - Job 14:1.

And we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. - 1 Thes 3:2-3.

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.. - Acts 14:21-22.

No matter who we are, or what status we hold, we will all have to face trouble some time, but out mighty God will see us through, and we will be blessed at the other end!

Somerset Maugham, the English writer, once wrote a story about a janitor at St Peter's Church in London. One day a young vicar discovered that the janitor was illiterate and fired him.

Jobless, the man invested his meager savings in a tiny tobacco shop, where he prospered, bought another, expanded, and ended up with a chain of tobacco stores worth several hundred thousand dollars.

One day the man's banker said, "You've done well for an illiterate, but where would you be if you could read and write?" "Well," replied the man, "I'd be janitor of St. Peter's Church in Neville Square." - Bits and Pieces.

We All Have to Go Through The Flood
Today there’s a tendency to try to escape from our problems. People would rather run away from their problems than face them. Some try escaping through drugs, some try escaping through alcohol, some try escaping through avoiding their responsibilities, some just avoid confronting their troubles.

They are always on the run, but, after a while, they find out that their troubles follow them. Nevertheless, as we pass through the flood, we can be comforted by the thought that our great God is with us. Hallelujah! Praise His wonderful name!

"You will have no test of faith that will not fit you to be a blessing if you are obedient to the Lord. I never had a trial but when I got out of the deep river I found some poor pilgrim on the bank that I was able to help by that very experience." - A.B. Simpson.

True followers of Jesus Christ are precious to Him, He loves us and delights in us, and even though we walk through the waters, He is with us, and while He is with us, we will fear no evil! When we are encouraged by His word, we become mighty warriors for Him! Hallelujah!

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!


TOMORROW: “I WILL BE WITH YOU!”

GBYAY