Do Not Fear, For I am the Lord

I have been awake for over an hour singing and praying Isaiah 43.  I learned this hymn in RUF at State and it has been one of my favorites the last fifteen years or so.

"When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you,
And the waves will not
Overcome you.
Do not fear,
For I have redeemed you,
I have called you by name,
You are Mine.

Chorus: For I am the Lord your God
(I am the Lord your God),
I am the Lord your God (I am)
The Holy One of Israel
Your Savior" 

I have several friends going through those waters right now.  I know at times they have felt like

waters will overcome them.  But they aren't going to. We serve a faithful God.  I love that this hymn 

describes God as "The Holy One of Israel".  I started reading through the Bible chronologically this

year.  As of today, I am in Deuteronomy where the people of Israel are on the outer banks

of the promised land.  Moses is recounting (as he has already done several times) all of the ways

 that God has delivered them and provided for them. He is the Lord our God. 

I have watched my friends (one for the last week and one for the last several months--both going 

through serious illnesses with their children) believe and trust Him.  They have both been storing 

God's Word in the hearts for years for times like these.  They know that in their own strength

they would be drowning,  but God's strength is carrying them through these deep waters.

He is protecting them.  Just as the Israelites could do, they can look back and see all the ways

that God has been getting them ready for this trial and recount all the ways that he has protected

and delivered them.  Praise God.

My sweet friends believe that and trust those promises.  They know that these earthly trials are 

getting them ready for heaven.  They have both been able to "consider it all joy, when you encounter

various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1) They are both

growing under these trials.  I have seen the character of these girls and been in awe of how Jesus is

carrying them through.  Even when others are trying to encourage them, they are the 

ones encouraging us.  They are getting up each day, putting one foot in front of the other, doing 

the hard tasks that they have, and praising Jesus all the way.  

Even though they have much to fear from the world's eyes they are leaning on  Jesus and not fearing.

I have absolutely no idea why I am writing this in the middle of the night.  I will probably wake up

in the morning and delete it because it makes absolutely no sense.  But this I do know, that we

serve a risen Lord.  He has walked this earth and knows exactly what we are going through.  I am

thankful for my friends.  I am thankful for God's Word.  It shows us that Jesus is enough.  He is all

we need. We can trust Jesus. Jesus is Lord of all and one day he will rule earth as he does in heaven

Because of who Jesus is...the Son of God, our Risen Savior...we can sing "do not fear, for I am the Lord,

do not fear, for I am the Lord..."