When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. – Isaiah 43:2
To “run the gauntlet” is a military term dating back as far as time records. The idea is to run between two lines of opposers striking out at you. In some cultures, it was not lethal, just a punishment meant to pay your debt to society, in other settings it was a death sentence. Today it is merely an analogy, describing what it feels like to be attacked from every side.
For followers of Christ, finding hope in suffering can feel like going through a gauntlet. Many believers try to make an unwritten contract with God agreeing to read the Bible, pray and possibly even attend church regularly, in exchange for God fixing all their problems. Then, when life gets hard and challenging things happen, it is easy to feel that God is not keeping His end of their self-proclaimed bargain!
God’s people suffer, anyone who says otherwise is not being faithful to the entire Word of God. And suffering will change you. It forces you to move in one of two directions: closer to God or further away. The apostle Paul notes, “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit“ (Romans 5:3-5).
Hope is the result of moving toward God in suffering. You will become intimately acquainted with the One accompanying you through the gauntlet. Pray for those making a public stand for Christ in America today, that they will be encouraged and remain faithful in their trials. Ask that those in positions of leadership will heed their witness.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 43:2
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 1:12-17
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
