Held by His Presence

“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 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…’” Isaiah 43:1-3

Life often leads us through deep waters and fiery trials, and recently, the news headlines have been filled with the reality of actual devastating floods and fires. Reading Isaiah 43:1-3 might lead many Christians to doubt scripture and deny that God could be present, especially amid reports of so many innocent children who died, leaving their parents in deep grief. And not just worldly parents…many of these were Christian parents, so we tend to double down on our doubt that God was present, as if we are somehow owed something more than what this world receives, that if we are His children, we should be spared from nightmares.

But in times like these, we must remember that the gift of our inheritance as children of God is never about sparing us from catastrophes. The scripture doesn’t say, because you are mine, you’ll never have to pass through waters, deep rivers, or fires. It confirms that we will have to go through these things in life. And that can be so hard to understand why a loving God who is supposed to be sovereign couldn’t have orchestrated circumstances for a different outcome, a better one where children don’t drown and fire doesn’t destroy.

The truth is, He could have. God is both sovereign and omnipotent, which means He is all-powerful. Yet in His sovereignty, He sometimes withholds His power from a specific circumstance for a greater good that we will never understand this side of heaven. For us, that will always remain a sacred mystery why God sometimes uses restraint against a specific outcome that hundreds, and perhaps thousands, might be storming the throne room asking for. But unless a prayer aligns with His sovereign will, the outcome can never be changed. Regardless of how much God weeps with those who are weeping from the effects of a tragedy, His restraint is still at play. This is the same restraint that kept His Son on the cross when the Father undoubtedly could have saved Him from such a horrifying death. And in that restraint was the greatest purpose mankind has ever known.

Rather than reading Isaiah 43 with questioning and doubt, we should instead find within this passage of scripture a deep soul-reassurance. The phrase “I will be with you” is a powerful source of comfort. Not only is there purpose in all that God allows, but there is always presence. His glorious, incomparable, loving, and holy presence. And while we might tend to believe, from our human perspective, that the greatest gift would be to be spared from heartache, trials, and tribulations, God knows that the greatest gift is always His presence, a piece of eternity that can be experienced on earth.

As part of Ardently His Ministry, I get the privilege of interviewing women about their darkest hours, and a common thread through all of their stories is not only God’s ardent love, but also His presence.  From those who experienced the most profound grief at the loss of a child or spouse…to the mother of small children who has stage four cancer, these women all say with unfathomable confidence that they wouldn’t change a thing in their story even if they could, because His overwhelming presence was the unexpected gift that made it all worthwhile.

If you’re wondering how people ever know the presence of God in that way, understand that those in His presence literally feel Him there. This is what is known as God’s manifest presence, which is understood by the senses and is distinct from His omnipresence, which describes God being all-present in His universe. This manifest presence has often been described as being held, and that description resonates with me after experiencing the loss of my mother and my sister. Natalie Grant described it well when she penned the lyrics, “This is what it means to be held; how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it means to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell, we’d be held.”  In those moments when we feel overwhelmed, we can trust that God’s presence envelops us, guiding us through the dark waters and fiery trials.

Trusting that we will be held in the arms that created the universe, by the one who loves us ardently, should bring about reassurance that God will penetrate the darkness to keep us held firmly against His bosom whenever the day comes that we experience tragedy in our lives. This is an unconditional promise for those who belong to Christ, as noted in Isaiah 43. These verses begin with a comforting reminder: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.” As women of faith, it’s essential to grasp the depth of what it means to be redeemed. Our past mistakes, insecurities, and struggles do not define us. God has called us by name, affirming our worth and identity. It’s this personal relationship that reassures us of His presence. Knowing we are seen and cherished by our Creator can help replace our fears with confidence. He knows your name. He formed you with purpose and love. You are not an afterthought. You are His.

So, when you’re overwhelmed by the “waters” of life…grief, anxiety, or even disappointment…remember that He promises they will not overtake you. When you’re in the “fire”…the trials that test your faith…He declares you will not be consumed. Rather than focusing on the storm around you, shift your perspective to seek God’s hand in your situation and feel His arms wrap around you, carrying you through.

As you reflect on Isaiah 43:1-3, consider practical ways to deepen your trust in God’s presence:

• Prayer – Regularly communicate with God. Share your fears and uncertainties openly. Seek His guidance and listen for His reassurance. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
• Scripture Meditation – Spend time meditating on verses that highlight God’s faithfulness and presence, such as Isaiah 43:1-3, Psalm 139, Joshua 1:9, or Matthew 28:20.
• Community – Surround yourself with fellow believers who will encourage and uplift you, reminding you of God’s truth during challenging times.
• Worship – Engage in worship through music or nature. Let these moments help you feel God’s presence more deeply.

In our journey as Christian women, trusting in God’s presence is essential. Isaiah 43:1-3 serves as a reminder that, regardless of our circumstances, we can hold on to the truth that God is with us. He knows your name, your struggles, and your heart. So, let us step forward not fearing what life may bring, but instead knowing that we are redeemed and ardently loved, walking in the assurance that our Savior goes before us, stands beside us, and holds us, today and always.

Ardently His,

Leah

To download the Ardently His app, click here.