Grace for every trial

"When you pass through the waters . . . they will not sweep over you." (Isaiah 43:2)

God does not open paths for us before we come to them, or provide help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are at our point of need, God’s hand is outstretched.

Many people forget this truth and continually worry about difficulties they envision in the future. They expect God to open and clear many miles of road before them, but He promises to do it step by step, only as their need arises. You must be in the floodwaters before you can claim God’s promise.

Many people dread death and are distressed that they do not have “dying grace.” Of course, they will never have the grace for death when they are in good health. Why should they have it while in the midst of life’s duties, with death still far away? Living grace is what is needed for life’s work and calling, and then dying grace when it is time to die.

“When you pass through the waters”

Deep the waves may be and cold,

But Jehovah is our refuge,

And His promise is our hold;

For the Lord Himself has said it,

He, the faithful God and true:

“When you come to the waters

You will not go down, BUT THROUGH.”

Seas of sorrow, seas of trial,

Bitter anguish, fiercest pain,

Rolling surges of temptation

Sweeping over heart and brain—

They will never overflow us

For we know His word is true;

All His waves and all His billows

He will lead us safely THROUGH.

Threatening breakers of destruction,

Doubt’s insidious undertow,

Will not sink us, will not drag us

Out to ocean depths of woe;

For His promise will sustain us,

Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!

We will not go down, or under,

For He says, “You will pass THROUGH.”

Annie Johnson Flint

J.R.M.