Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you… I. THE PATHWAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF GOD TREAD. Through waters, rivers, fires, and flames. "It is through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom." 1. If I look at the temporalities first, the wilderness through which we pass is full of troubles. Thorns and thistles has it brought forth ever since the curse was pronounced upon it; and you can scarcely look into a circle of your acquaintance without finding sicknesses, sorrows, losses, cares, broils, contentions, all the fruits of sin, constantly presented to your view. Is not this, then, a tribulated path? 2. Mark, among the tribulations, the rigour of a fiery law. 3. In this unceasing warfare "the flesh hateth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh." 4. Look at the grand adversary of souls, and his fiery temptations. That is another fire to pass through — Satan's suggestions. II. THE UPHOLDING POWER. I will be with thee." Good company at all events. Was He not with all the worthies recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures, in their sharp conflicts, giving them all the victory? There are two views that may be taken of this precious promise. There is such a thing as God being with His people, and they not knowing it; and there is such a thing as their sensible enjoyment of it. There are two things to be considered. The immutable faithfulness of God has bound Him never to desert the objects of His love. But there have been many instances in which people have been groping in the dark; it has been a long while before they could find Him; and in many instances they have been ready to say, "My prayer is shut out"; and led to exclaim, "Hath God in anger shut up His tender mercies? Will His compassion fail?" III. THE TERMINUS. Heavenly rest — not a wave of trouble shall roll across this peaceful breast. (J. Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. |
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