God is Faithful

Life continues to happen and school has been keeping me very busy. And that is my only reason for not writing anything over this past year. School. I am less than four months from the end of my program and in the thick of full time clinical rotations, school assignments, and studying for my cardiac and vascular registry boards. I thought I would jump on here quickly while taking a quick break from studying and drop a word of encouragement for anyone that might need to hear this right now.

The verse that God has me coming back to through all of life’s ups and downs lately is from Isaiah 43. Verses 1b-3a say:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned 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…”

You are mine. This echoes in my thoughts all day long. Do not fear. He has redeemed you. He summoned you by name. No matter what we go through, God is there. He is not only watching out for us, but also walking before, behind, and beside us. He knows your name and you are HIS. He loves you so much and no amount of waters, or rivers, or fires surprise Him or prevent Him from taking care of us. HE IS FAITHFUL. Do not fear.

I was talking with a friend about Psalm 23 yesterday, as that’s another chapter that God has highlighted for me this week. Specifically verse 4 where it says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” My friend pointed out to me that in verse 5 it says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows,” so, even in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death, in the presence of our enemies, He prepares a table before us. Even in the hardest struggles of life, we can feast at the table with Him. And He comforts us through it all.

He cares for you so much, friend. If you have struggles or valleys that you may be facing right now, I encourage you to draw near to God during the hard times. And I pray that in those dark moments, you will hear His voice saying, “I love you. I am right here with you.”

“Come near to God and he will come near to you….” James 4:8