Are you in Deep Waters?

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through deep 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.

Sometimes in life it appears that as soon as you are through one test, here comes another right behind it. These same words of Isaiah 43 that were spoken by God the prophet Isaiah to God’s people Israel is for you and I who are God’s people today.

Contrary to what the world wants you to believe, saved or unsaved, the tests and trials remain the same. The good news for the believer who walks with Jesus, you’re not alone. He is right beside you. Never will he leave you nor forsake you.

Trials and tribulations are certain to come our way. Jesus himself declares in John 16:33 – in this life you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Whatever you may be struggling with might it be a death of a loved one, a friendship that ended suddenly, or even an unhealthy relationship. Rise up, Jesus has your hand and you will not drown with him. In real life, fire consumes us and water overwhelms us. But you see God is not the least bit concerned in the midst of these waves and flames. He is concerned about “our faith failing." Equally important, God lets us set our own paths and choose our own hardships and successes. But hopes we choose His word over the worlds.

Now what did Jesus Teach?

Christ’s teachings are straight to the point. Using powerful metaphors. Jesus explained our relationship with him in depth.

- “You are the salt of the earth". But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? So, we are no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out.

- “You are the light of the world. A city on the hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your let shine among people, and they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."

Of course, the metaphors aren’t particularly compliments of the world. The fact that the world needs salt means that it is rotting. So why is this? First, the salt was used to stop the sin process. And the need for light points straight to the darkness of the world. Third, by Jesus calling us the salt and light of the earth, He implied that the world is in great need of followers of him. Fourth, many times you hear Christians say how dark the world may be, these sins include sins that are being exploited on the front of magazines and all over social media. Rather it may be, “love is love”, sex before marriage, or even not simply following His commandments. But again, why should any of us be surprised? The world is evil. We as Christ followers should not be shocked by the darkness of the world, but motivated to spread his words of righteousness and be an ambassador for him. To be the salt of the gospel, we must not be mixed with the sand of unrighteousness. We must seek righteousness that " surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of law”. Which simply means our government or the people around us such as; Muslims or terrorists.

Even though a Christian man works in the same building as the loud and rude man, there must be something different about him. Even though the Christian teenager goes to the same high school with the same friends, there must be something different about her. She likes to look good, but she understands the value of a person is way more important than the designer clothing and name brand things. Many people believe that if their children are surrounded by other families who are Christian everything will be great. But remember who has the most salt and light, don’t be deceived by their personalities or their first impressions, because everyone will try to make a good impression.

Just before Jesus’s Death He prayed this for his followers:

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the World.”

Finally, we who seek to follow Jesus Christ have been called to be in this world, but not of this world. Through the fire that tries to consume you, the waves that try to drown you, and the sin that tries to overtake you, remember who is in control.

In Christ,

Destiny Massengill