The Word To Live By:8-20-25
Phil Waggoner
Now is what the Lord says.... “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flames will not burn you. Isaiah 43:1-2
The Word To Live By: This is interesting to me because it’s not only a promise, it’s a promise to stand on when tough times come. Tough times? I thought Christians who lived by faith didn’t have tough times? Apparently, God didn’t know that because He is constantly telling us what to do to get through tough times. In fact, this verse was around when the three Hebrews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown into a furnace heated so hot that the men who threw them in died. Talk about walking by faith and not by sight! “Hey, Shad! That big guard who threw me in here died from the heat!” “I know mine did too! Hey, look over there at Ben! Is that the Son of God he’s talking to? And by the way, did you notice we aren’t dead either?” 😊 Every day, I am constantly bringing to my remembrance John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. But be courageous! I have overcome the world.” (Notice, He didn’t say we would suffer. In fact, He said we would have peace if we stand on His Word.) The first step when tests, trials, and tribulations assault our spirit, soul, and body is, “Don’t operate in fear; be courageous.” 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us not only that fear is not from God but what to do about it. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and love, and a sound mind.” How do you act courageously in the face of tests, trials, and tribulations? Walk in the power of God. Cling to His promises. Stay in unconditional love. Love never fails. And use the common sense God has given you to get through it, over it, or around it. I have something to add to this from 1 Timothy, but I’ll save it for tomorrow.
Read through the Bible in a year: John 4:27-42; 1 Chronicles 16:7-43; Zechariah 5;
Read through the New Testament and Proverbs: Proverbs 20, Matthew 26:1-37, 1 Corinthians 7
The sum of Thy Word is Truth Psalm 119:160