But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
~Isaiah 43:1-3a,4b~
The Lord led me to this passage of scripture during the wee hours of the morning when sleep escaped me and all I could do was pour out my heart to Him through tears.
"Lord, help me. I need to know that You will see me through this" I spoke outwardly through sobs. I reached over to my nightstand, grabbed my New Living Translation Study Bible, and combed through its delicate pages, searching for words of comfort and assurance.
"Speak to my heart, God. I need to hear from You", I pleaded with the Lord. I was desperate to hear my Father's voice...longing to know that He hadn't forsaken me and left me to drown in my sorrow. I needed to know that despite what He was taking me through, He still loved me.
Of all of the wonderful scriptures of comfort found in the pages of God's word, I felt as if my search for consolation was reaching a dead end. Frustrated and feeling that God wasn't hearing my cry for help, I sat my Bible aside and began to cry uncontrollably, when all of a sudden I felt a light wave of wind and heard the pages of my Bible crinkling. The coolness of the wind jolted me out of my outpour of tears, and when I looked up it was as if a light was shining on my Bible, specifically highlighting the first four verses of Isaiah 43.
It was so odd, because the position of the lamp on my nightstand was no where near close enough to my Bible to provide such light, and the slow rotation of my ceiling fan was not strong enough to give off such a breeze.
Simultaneously puzzled and curious, I picked up my favorite book and began to read. As I read the words of the scripture posted above, I knew it was only the wind of God and the light of Christ I felt and saw. It was if the Lord was wrapping me in the warmth and security of His arms, giving me the exact comfort and assurance I so desperately needed. My present help in trouble met me at my very point of need.
I heard my Father so sweetly whispering to me:
"My child, my sweet daughter, you are mine. I know the waters you tread right now are deep, but I'm right there with you, holding your hand. The river you wade is extremely difficult, and it's taking all of your strength, but I promise I won't let you drown. The fire, I know it's hot and unbearable, but the heat will only refine you; I won't allow the flames to consume you. I am your God; your Father; your Savior, and you are so precious to me. I love you too much to allow anything to destroy you."
In that moment, through the pain, I worshiped my Savior for coming to my rescue and assuring me that even in the numbing pain of child loss, He was yet with me and would see me through, because I am precious to Him and He loves me.
Though it has not magically erased the pain I feel deep inside, I am confident that, as much as losing my baby has broken me and shattered my heart into a billion pieces, my loving, compassionate, caring, faithful Father will hold me up, restore me, and heal me in every place that I hurt.
The same is true for you. No matter how tough or painful your current season may be, find comfort and assurance in God's word - He is with you; you will not drown; you will not be burned up; you will not be consumed. Our Father, your Savior who loves you so dearly and deeply, will make sure of that.
Don't be afraid to go through whatever it is the Lord allows to come your way. He's got you, and you've got what it takes to make it.
I'll leave you with what David said in Psalm 23:4, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
Hallelujah! Praise God for the comfort and assurance we find in His Holy Word.
Love & Hugs,
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins
