Faith vs Flood
Scripture texts: 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 (NKJV)
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 (NKJV)
I live on a small island – 166 square miles. One day the rains had been heavy upon us, resulting in flooding in many areas. Despite the rains and the floods, I was required to attend a prize-giving ceremony and lecture at the local University (which had not yet been, but would soon be, officially postponed). As notice of the postponement had not yet been disseminated, I made my trek. On my way, there was one road that I was sure would be impassable, for I could not see it; I knew it must have been still there but how would I begin to navigate, given that not even the sidewalks were visible? – cloudy water was all I had to go on.
I paused for a moment, unsure whether I would proceed. At that moment, I thought to myself “the road was here yesterday”. This thought penetrated my mind and I recalled the many times I had taken this route and remembered that I had driven that same road the day prior. There was no reason that I should doubt that it was still there. As I made my way cautiously, I exclaimed “Now that is the definition of faith but why can’t I trust God like this though!?” – or something like that 😊.
But truly, isn’t that the definition of faith? Hebrews 11:1 says:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (NIV)
Since I had known the road to be there, I trusted that it did not change, which gave me confidence that I could cross over blindly. As I continued my journey, still pondering on that experience, I wondered why I didn’t always trust God wholeheartedly, though I knew he had seen me through many times before.
God had sent this message to me at a time that I really needed to hear it. He was telling me “My child, I was here yesterday, I am God and I do not change, I am the same yesterday, today and forever; you can trust that as the road was there and did not fail, that I [God] will always be here and will never fail you.” (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6) And the same goes for you. Yes, you!
Are you going through a difficult time where you can’t seem to see God or trace his movements in your life? I encourage you, in those moments, to trust His heart! He cannot lie, and he does not change. No matter the storm clouds, the rains and the floods that the evil one may send your way, just as the physical road remained, know that the Lord has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deut. 31: 6,8; Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5)
Prayer- Dear Heavenly Father, When I can’t understand how you are working in my life and when I can’t see you clearly, help me to trust your heart, knowing that your plans for me are always good. Help me to always know that, though storm clouds may come, you are still my Light, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
