The One Thing I Need to Know

I got off the plane in Sri Lanka looking for Pete.

But there was no one there to meet me. No one dressed like me. No one who looked like me. I was 8 million miles from home. I felt like I was wearing a flashing neon sign “Completely Inexperienced World Traveler. Please rob me.” Where was Pete?

You see, Pete’s been all over the world. As long as Pete’s with me, I know I’ll be ok, because he knows what to do.

Isaiah 43.2 says:

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.

Believers will suffer. God says, “WHEN you pass through the waters,” not “IF” you pass through the waters.

James says count it all joy when we encounter trials of “various kinds” (JA 1.2) - from minor aggravations to devastating tragedies. But here’s the encouraging part. When we pass through these foaming waters Jesus promises, “I will be with you.” Jesus - the author of our faith, who’s been tempted every way we are – will be with us.

We don’t need to have all the answers ahead of time. Jesus will be with us. Whether we encounter waters or flames, Jesus will be there, and he’ll know what to do. That’s all we need to know. Where will we get strength? Jesus. Where will we get help? Jesus. And he’ll be with us to the end:

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (MT. 28.20)

Are you up to your neck in floodwaters? Are the flames licking all around you? Can you hear Jesus’ voice saying to you, “I am with you”?