Facing the troubles of the old man

~ June 29, 2020 – Evening Devotional ~

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. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, they Saviour….
~ Isaiah 43:2-3, KJV ~

When Peter saw the Savior walking upon the water – He called out: Lord if it be you, command that I come unto you. Peter stepped out of the boat and walked toward the Savior. It was when his eyes diverted to the raging storm that he began to sink in despair. He cried out to the Lord. And, with grace, mercy, and love, the Savior reached and pulled Peter back up to stand amidst the storm. What we tend to forget is that Christ walked with Peter back to the boat – while the storm still raged (see, Matthew 14:22-33).

We are not exempt from the troubles of the old man. How we may have dealt with adversity and setbacks will hopefully be different. Each season of difficult – there is a choice. A choice between facing those difficult seasons with the confidence and trust in God; or, give into the old man of troubles and sorrow and sink in our frustration, despair, and disappointment.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – KJV

There is this confidence we learn from scripture: God has promised to neither leave us or forsake us. He is with us in all things. His promise is true. He will deliver us in our moments of weak faith and doubt. He will walk with us through the storm. We see this in the stories of the Old Testament. God did not bring Noah out of the flood. God did not bring Daniel out of the Lions Den. God did not bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego out of the fiery furnace. He was with them and brought them through the flood, the lions den, the fiery furnace. God is powerful enough to bring us through our tempest seasons. Through God, we continue to live courageously facing those challenges and adversity.

It is when we face the old man of troubles and sorrows with our faith and confidence in Jesus Christ that he will turn away from us.

~ Today’s Prayer and Meditation ~

Heavenly Father, stand with me in the storms of my life. As I place my confidence and trust in you, O’ Lord, may I find refuge in your grace and mercy. Bring me through the challenges and difficulties I face. In Jesus Name, Amen.