Isaiah 43:1–3 says, “But now, this is what the lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have sum- moned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’”
Life will have struggles. We will pass through trials. But with our hope in Jesus, the trials will not overcome us; we will pass through them.
There is a story in Numbers 21. Moses was leading the children of Israel through the wilderness. And they were so much like we are today. Some days they would be really faithful and follow God, but other times, they wanted to do their own thing.
The people were constantly grumbling and complaining against God. They would not listen to Moses. And God needed to get their attention. So he sent venomous snakes into the land, and many of the people died.
But God loves us so much he always provides a way out of sin and death. The people repented for their wicked ways. And God had Moses make a bronze snake that was erected on a pole. And anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze snake, and they would live. They looked to the stick, and they lived!
We are just like the Israelites; we have snakes in our lives. They can be drugs, lust, depression, infidelity, financial issues—the list goes on and on. You know what your snake is, but God provided a stick to save you! He sent his one and only son for you, to die on the cross, so that you can live! If you look to the cross, if you believe and receive Jesus, you too can live! (Excerpt from If God is So Good, Why is My Life Such a Mess!)