“I AM” is here.
Doesn’t the way God orchestrates certain events, provisions, people in your life ever absolutely surprise you? I’ve learned that life is astonishingly more beautiful when I take the time to observe and note the fingerprints of God in my life. But, the fact that these gentle whispers of His presence actually make me drop my jaw in wonder, so regularly, actually concerns me. My faith is often so little, narrow minded, immature and undeveloped that in my times of need, when I am graced with His overwhelming presence, what precedes my gratitude is often– absolute shock. I’m awestruck that God cares enough to allow me to glimpse at His presence in the midst of my circumstances.
I had one of those moments last night. I had to work at the Tball fields for snack bar duty and got dismissed early. My bible “just happened” to be in my car, so I sat under the stars and pulled out what I call the “God, you pick a page method.” C’mon, don’t tell me that isn’t how anyone else reads the Bible. You know, gently drop your Bible and see what pages it opens to….if it opens to the OT…drop it again and get a redo (kidding).
So the pages fell open to Isaiah Chapter 43: 2-5
The powerful words felt as thought they literally lifted off the page and spoke directly to my heart of such little faith.
“Do not fear, 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;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you;”
I want to keep this short and sweet today, but I had to share this. I don’t know what lies ahead of your day, weekend, or month, but even if it is literal floods or fire, take heart! Perhaps, the physical and emotional circumstances sometimes make you feel like you are drowning or set ablaze (mine do!). Hear me, I am certain that God spoke in such literal terms, because, if He can protect us from such disasters that can destroy the body (kill you), then how much MORE capable is He of quieting anything else that is overwhelming scary in your life right now?
Today, just rest in the the fact that “I AM” is with you. You are precious in His sight, you are known by name, you are His– and whatever lies ahead, whatever, His promise is to be with you.
Absolutely AMAZING! Love it! And WOW that was even from the OT!!! Such a blessing!
Aww, thanks. You’d think by now I’d “get it” and not have such little expectations of His ability to speak to my situations/concerns/problems…pretty sure when God decides to “spiff up my day” He chuckles with the thought, “C’mon, you really have’t figured out how much I love you by now…c’mon kid, c’mon really.”