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JANUARY 2012
Deep Waters ahead?
The manufacturers of 4
wheel drive vehicles like to show us their products in mind-boggling
situations. One T.V. advert running at the moment shows a vehicle high up
on a mountain top, where no other vehicle could seemingly go. Another
advert appearing at the moment shows a vehicle crossing swamp land where
you would think you would need a boat. We, the viewing public, are
supposed to think that these ‘off roaders’ are invincible. Of course this
is untrue, and if you were to purchase one of these vehicles with the
intention of driving it through a river, I caution you to please read the
small print in the warranty. You may discover that ‘Damaged caused to the
vehicle by traversing deep water, is not covered by the vehicle
warranty.’
Deep water is a problem
not only for vehicles which are presented as being ‘invincible’, but also
for the most independent and self-assured of us. As we travel the
roadways of life, we often find ourselves ‘out of our depth’, unable to
cope with the oceans of grief or illness or the crashing waves of broken
relationships or financial problems. At the beginning of a new year, it is
God alone knows of the challenges – the deep water – some of us with
encounter this year. We need help.
In the book of Psalms we
are told of that needed assistance. God says that He is ‘our refuge
and strength, our ever-present help in trouble’ (Ps 46:1) and that
‘in times of trouble He shall …set me high upon a rock.’ (Ps 27:5).
Or elsewhere, God says in Isaiah 43:2 ‘When you pass through the
waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they
will not sweep over you.’ There are no disclaimers here. Traversing
deep waters won’t affect our spiritual warranty. God gives to His
children a guarantee that He will always be their support.
Are you in deep water?
God is stretching forth His hand to rescue you. He sent Jesus into the
world to die on the cross and he raised Him to life, and all because he
doesn’t want you to ‘perish’. He can rescue you. Why not reach up
in prayer and grab God’s hand of mercy.
Is there any heart
discouraged
As it journeys on its way?
Does there seem to be more darkness
Than there is of sunny day?
Oh, it's hard to learn the lesson,
As we pass beneath the rod,
That the sunshine and the shadow
Serve alike the will of God;
But there comes a world of promise
Like the promise in the bow—
That however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.
When the flesh is worn and
weary,
And the spirit is depressed,
And temptations sweep upon it,
Like a storm on ocean's breast,
There's a haven ever open
For the tempest-driven bird;
There's a shelter for the tempted
In the promise of the Word;
For the standard of the Spirit
Shall be raised against the foe,
And however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.
When a sorrow comes upon you
That no other soul can share,
And the burden seems too heavy
For the human heart to bear,
There is One whose grace can comfort
If you'll give Him an abode;
There's a Burden-Bearer ready
If you'll trust Him with your load;
For the precious promise reaches
To the depth of human woe,
That however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.
When the sands of life are
ebbing
And I know that death is near;
When I'm passing through the valley,
And the way seems dark and drear;
I will reach my hand to Jesus,
In Him bosom I shall hide,
And 'twill only be a moment
till I reach the other side;
It is then the fullest meaning
Of the promise I shall know.
"When thou passest through the waters,
They shall never overflow."
Rev David Irvine
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