While on a mission trip to Haiti, our truck needed to cross a river without a bridge. We stopped at the water’s edge. Various people waded into the water to measure its depth and danger because they knew our vehicle could easily be destroyed driving through deep waters.
Isaiah says God is with us when we face deep waters.
Perhaps we experienced a looming diagnosis, a sudden loss, a damaged relationship, or a shocking accident. These events suddenly plunge us into racing rapids that threaten to knock us down and carry us away. But the Bible reminds us that God created, redeemed, and made us part of His family. When trials crop up, God holds our hand and walks with us.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew about this. They faced certain death. They were bound and thrown into a furnace so hot that the soldiers who threw them in died. But these three faithful servants of God were not left alone in their ordeal. A fourth man walked into the furnace with them.
The next time you’re facing something overwhelming or terrible, remember that God is always ready to help you. He will sustain you until your life’s work is done.
Joy Nevin Axelson is a Christian author of several published poems and works of nonfiction. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and from the University of California, Santa Barbara, respectively. She also attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and North Park University. In addition to being an author, she is the translation coordinator for GlobalFingerprints, the EFCA’s child sponsorship branch. Her translations of training materials are used at twelve international sites. She enjoys traveling with her husband and two older children. Check out her website at www.joynevinaxelson.weebly.com.