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“It’s the signature theme of the Bible: God coming to the aid of his children.”

A thought by Max Lucedo, from his book, God Will Carry You Through (p. vii). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

And we need this today, don’t we?

Max reminds us, “Isaac’s last-minute reprieve from certain death at the hand of obedient Abraham. The children of Israel rescued from the brick-pits of Egypt. Saul became Paul, liberated from a path of hatred and violence. And all the redeemed, delivered from destruction by the gift of a Savior.

“Again and again, stories of heavenly oversight and divine rescue capture our imagination and help build our trust that the same God will do the same for us. In stories of old, our heavenly Father demonstrated his might with divided seas, guiding clouds, blinding lights, miraculous healings, unquenchable fires.

“The same God who stepped in and rerouted history cares about our own struggles, fears, tears, and hopes. Facing financial woes, relationship dead ends, or health crises? You will get through these trials. It won’t be easy or quick or painless, but God will carry you through. Trust him.”

He later says, “You fear you won’t. We all do. We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never leave. . . . We wonder: Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten? We feel stuck, trapped, locked in. Predestined for failure. Will we ever exit this pit?  Yes!”

Max continues, “Deliverance is to the Bible what jazz music is to Mardi Gras—bold, brassy, and everywhere. Deliverance:
·      out of the lion’s den for Daniel,
·      the prison for Peter,
·      the whale’s belly for Jonah,
·      Goliath’s shadow for David,
·      the storm for the disciples,
·      disease for the lepers,
·      doubt for Thomas,
·      the grave for Lazarus,
·      and the shackles for Paul.

“God carries us through stuff:
·      through the Red Sea onto dry ground (Exodus 14:22),
·      through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 29:5),
·      through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4),
·      and through the deep sea (Psalm 77:19).

“Through is a favorite word of God’s: ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.’ (Isaiah 43:2 NKJV)”

This is a great reminder for this time we are living in, isn’t it? 

Yes, yes!

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