Presence

I think one of the most memorable lines in all of Isaiah’s inspiring 8th century prophecy is this –

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.
Isaiah 43:2.

These words occur in the part of Isaiah that describes Israel’s release from exile and return to their homeland, but they also convey God’s promise to sustain Israel through the ordeal of exile, which was truly a deep water trauma. It was an upheaval so jarring and disorienting, many Jews doubtless lost what little faith they had. It seemed obvious that God had abandoned them and broken covenant with them.


In point of fact, it was Israel who broke covenant with God, and the astonishing thing is that God resolved not to abandon his rebellious people, but to accompany them into the flood-waters of judgment, to preserve them just as he preserved Noah and to bring them home again after the storm!

But the poetry in this promise transcends its original historical setting. It speaks of every kind of situation that we find dangerous or over-whelming. It speaks first of flood-waters and raging rivers and then about fire -

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. (v.2)

Water and fire are opposite poles that cover the entire spectrum of dangers that we might encounter in our journey. Surrounding the words of promise God reminds us of his identity as Creator, Redeemer and Savior: 

This is what the LORD says—

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

Etc. . . . And then the text concludes with --

For I am the LORD, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. v. 1-3

The stabilizing power that promises to carry us through the most profound and crippling crisis moments in life is not an inspiring message about self-reliance or good luck or our talents, experience, reputation or achievements. What anchors and stabilizes us in the hurricanes of life is the presence of a God who created us, crafted us in his image, who calls us by name; a God who calls himself savior and summons us to know him and trust him and to experience his redeeming of our failures and his power in our lives.
That’s a Presence like no other!

Image Sources:
Fire and Water - Robyn Sanderson Designs
Hospital Bed - Scribbles Writers Cafe