Overwhelmed

Several years ago, I was trekking in Nepal. We came to a rapidly flowing river that we needed to cross. I was very unsure of my footing and pondered how I was going to be able to cross the river. Just then, a Nepali man offered to carry me on his back across the river. They were used to carrying heavy loads in the mountains, so I agreed to hop on his back and he did carry me across the river successfully. Life can be daunting at times and we can often feel overwhelm, unsure of our footing, and needing to jump on somebody’s back to move forward.

In Isaiah 43:1-2 God speaks, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Here, God is making remarkable promises to His people. First, He underscores the truth that He knows us by name and has called us unto Himself. Then He promises to be with us always, no matter what we are going through. And He further promises that He will guide us through trials so that they do not overwhelm or consume us.