God is With Us
Look at this remarkable passage spoken by the Lord through the prophet Isaiah.
“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.” (Isaiah 43:2)
No matter what we may be going through, we need to realize we’re not going through it alone. God is with us every step.
David knew this, even in the darkest of days when he despaired of life itself. He knew God was there by his side.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
David knew the truth that God would always be there, and that He would never leave him nor forsake him.
Listen again to David when he said, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side … then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.” (Psalm 124:2-4)
And so, to live that joy-filled life we need to realize that no matter what we go through, the Lord is always there with us through it all, and it will not destroy us. The waters may get high, but they will never drown us, and the fires may get hot, but they will never burn us.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)
And so, we can be filled with joy despite what’s happening around us, because the joy of the Lord is found in His presence.
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
So, finding joy during life’s hardships comes down to focusing on the Lord.
Let me end with what the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the church in Thessalonica.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
And it is this ending that I would like to share with you this Sunday morning as we look at a message, “Comfort From Above.”
Dennis Lee is the Senior Pastor of Living Waters Fellowship located at 211 West First South, Mesquite, NV., behind ACE Hardware.
Sunday Morning Service is at 10 a.m. The message is entitled, “Comfort From Above.”
Wednesday Evening Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies begins at 6 p.m. The Women’s Bible Study is looking at the letters of John, and the Men’s Bible study is looking at the Life of David.
Our services can be watched live or at a time best suited for your needs on our YouTube Channel “Mesquite NV Living Waters Fellowship,” or on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Living-Waters-Fellowship-Mesquite-Foursquare-Church-323286096181/
As always an excellent message. I am encouraged in the words of each scripture verse as to it applying to my life here today. I pray that this message touches all who read it. Thank you.
Moose Moorhead
Thank you Moose, that is my prayer as well. I’m praying for Marilyn. Take care and have a great day.
Only thru the challenges of life have I discovered the true joy of knowing God was with me every step of the way. Thanks for the reminder Pastor Dennis.
Wes, this is a scripture that I hold onto in the midst of the challenges.
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope.” (Romans 5:4).
Take care my friend.
Great words from scripture. We need encouragement .
Syl, the Bible always gives us the right words and always at the right time. We serve a great God. Take care and God bless.
I have found that it is through life’s challenges that the joy and presence of Lord become all the more precious to me, giving me His hope and promise that since He is with me, He will see me through. I love that scripture mentioned here in Isaiah 43:2. Regarding the part about “you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you”, I am reminded of Shradrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:13-24. The presence of God was very evident, even to King Nebuchadnezzar, seeing what he saw. Verses 24-25, Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” And the fire never even touched them. Verse 27, “And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.”
Debbie, God’s promises are always yes and true in Christ Jesus. But it takes obedience on our part. I pray that you and Ken are well and I’ll see you Sunday. God bless
Debbie, God’s promises are always yes and true in Christ Jesus. But it takes obedience on our part. I pray that you and Ken are well and I’ll see you Sunday. God bless