“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, 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. For I am the Lord your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43: 1-3a
As we continue in this very uncertain time of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Racial Injustice Pandemic, the devastation caused by the wild fires and hurricanes, and the stress caused by our nation’s political divisions; many of us are very concerned about how all of this will end up. It is hard to contain our doubts and our fears; with so many loved ones lost, also much loss property, jobs, businesses, wildlife and forest lands, and so much more! The emotional stain, and the pain and sorrow of it all is so overwhelming.
Our anxiety comes to us in many different ways, will I get the virus, and if so, can I live with it; and also, what so many want to know---when can we get back to a “normal” way of living again? Also, how we deal with all of the other difficulties that are impacting us? Additionally, during these crises, and from what has occurred all around us, what do we really believe in---at our very core?
What many spiritual writers and our desert mothers and fathers have outlined over the years, and firmly believed is that God has promised to be with us, no matter what we are going through, or where we happen to be in our earthly walk. Please read this passage from Isaiah again in your Bible, and also refer to any footnotes that come with it. In this passage God has promised to redeem the nation of Israel, that they have been called by name, that the Lord would protect them through any problems that they may face. That no matter if the issues were of water or fire, that they would come through it.
God called these people by name and promised to walk with them, whatever they went through. God still calls each and every one of us by name, and the promise to walk with us is still there; but sometimes in moments like these, it may seem that the Lord is on another path then the one that we are on. May you continue to have prayer/reflection practices that allows you to sense God calling you and walking with you; even in the midst of these calamities. God bless you on this journey now and in the future. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
As we continue in this very uncertain time of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Racial Injustice Pandemic, the devastation caused by the wild fires and hurricanes, and the stress caused by our nation’s political divisions; many of us are very concerned about how all of this will end up. It is hard to contain our doubts and our fears; with so many loved ones lost, also much loss property, jobs, businesses, wildlife and forest lands, and so much more! The emotional stain, and the pain and sorrow of it all is so overwhelming.
Our anxiety comes to us in many different ways, will I get the virus, and if so, can I live with it; and also, what so many want to know---when can we get back to a “normal” way of living again? Also, how we deal with all of the other difficulties that are impacting us? Additionally, during these crises, and from what has occurred all around us, what do we really believe in---at our very core?
What many spiritual writers and our desert mothers and fathers have outlined over the years, and firmly believed is that God has promised to be with us, no matter what we are going through, or where we happen to be in our earthly walk. Please read this passage from Isaiah again in your Bible, and also refer to any footnotes that come with it. In this passage God has promised to redeem the nation of Israel, that they have been called by name, that the Lord would protect them through any problems that they may face. That no matter if the issues were of water or fire, that they would come through it.
God called these people by name and promised to walk with them, whatever they went through. God still calls each and every one of us by name, and the promise to walk with us is still there; but sometimes in moments like these, it may seem that the Lord is on another path then the one that we are on. May you continue to have prayer/reflection practices that allows you to sense God calling you and walking with you; even in the midst of these calamities. God bless you on this journey now and in the future. Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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