Guidelines For Living

Harold Sala: Take a break from your busy schedule and join Harold Sala for guidelines for living.

Harold Sala: When a friend of more than 40 years was felled with a rather severe case of pneumonia and struggled to regain his health, a pastor called and told him that surely he had sinned in his life and that if he would only confess and forsake that wrongdoing, then God would allow him to get well.

It sounds much like some of the advice that good old Job got from his friends, too. But as they say, with friends like that, who needs enemies? The reality is, we live in an imperfect world. One where good people sometimes suffer and where at times bad people seem to stay healthy, but wait. Life has a way of equalizing the footing. In other words, God keeps score and that's very good news.

Harold Sala: Isaiah looked about him and recognized there are no exemptions from being fully human. He recorded God's message though. "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."

Harold Sala: Notice that Isaiah began each thought with the word "when," not "if." "When" means it's eventually going to happen, so you had better be prepared. First, Isaiah spoke of the depth of your trial, the deep waters.

Harold Sala: If you have ever taken a walking stick and tried to cross a turbulent river where the water was swift and the rocks were slippery and you couldn't see where the deep holes were, you understand that is how recovery can be from an illness or a financial disaster or a broken relationship. At any moment, you are apt to be swept off your feet and carried downstream or you're stumble, uncertain of your footing.

Harold Sala: That's the way it often is getting through your trial or problem. Then Isaiah mentioned the turbulence of the trials. The rivers won't drown you. The word is plural. It means there will be more than a few challenges before you knock on heaven's door, but paraphrasing what he said, you're going to make it.

Harold Sala: As a friend says, you may not look like much when you get there, but you're going to make it. Finally, he speaks of the intensity of your trial. You will go through the fire, but you won't be burned. Good news. Why? Because of what God has promised. Like what? Today's commentary gives me time to mention six great promises or reasons for rejoicing in the time of trials.

Harold Sala: You'll find these six expressions in Isaiah 43 of your Old Testament. First, God says, "I will be with you." It matters little what you face, if you know He is alongside to guide, comfort, and sustain. Two, "The river will not drown you."

Harold Sala: Three, "You will not be burned." Remember the fiery furnace? The God who delivered them will take you through your trial as well. Four, God says, "You are precious in my sight." Now, think about that statement for a moment. What makes something precious? Diamonds are said to be precious stones.

Harold Sala: But something that is precious usually comes with an emotional attachment. What may be precious to someone else may be junk to you. This means God cares about you. God says, "You are honored." That's what grace is about, what God does for you, what you don't deserve. Finally, God says, "I love you."

Harold Sala: Wow. That's the entire message of the New Testament in three words: "I love you." "No," you say, "not me." While you may not understand why, I don't. That's the positive statement of the book. It's true.

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