Rock, hard place and a third option

Isaiah 43:1-5 The Message

But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.
"So don't be afraid: I'm with you."

Looking on Facebook this morning I saw a note from a friend going through serious illness. They made comment about how difficult it was after being with family all day to have them go. I believe this is part of chronic illness territory. Gatherings of family and friends are great and life-giving. We may even be relieved in some way when people leave because our exhaustion levels, yet the loneliness of illness can also be acutely noticable. It doesn't mean we are necessarily 'doing' anything wrong, but it is an indicator that this is just plain difficult territory when even the good things in our life can leave us feeling the loneliness or difficulty of illness. As the scripture says, it's like being between a rock and a hard place.

But the God who raised Jesus from the dead looks at the rock and hard place and says-- there's another option! No 'dead ends' with this God! We are told that even in the midst of the roughest waters, when we're in over our head, when we feel most alone God has chosen to be with us. God has paid a huge price for us because we are so deeply, amazingly loved. When we feel most alone God says "don't be afraid. I'm with you."

My friend Sarah, reminded me of this song and video~ and so I share it with you. May it help you remember, you are loved and you are not alone~



Dearest God, when we feel in over our heads, when loneliness presses in from all sides, when pain and an uncertain future are our companions, light up the sky...light up our lives so that we can be assured you are with us, even as you have promised. Thank you~ Amen.