NOVEMBER 21, 2025, FRIDAY
Entry: 10:51am, Fairview QC
VERSE OF THE DAY:
ISAIAH 43:2
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.
GOD IS FAITHFUL
We all have to face hard things. It's not if you will face them, but when. But when those challenges come, you can know you're not alone.
In Isaiah 43:2, God reminds Israel that His faithfulness doesn't change with their circumstances. He was faithful in the past, and He would continue to protect and provide for them.
"when you pass through the waters…"
After 400 years of slavery, god empowered Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity. Just as the opposing army was closing in and all seemed lost, God made a way- right through the red sea. This is probably what the book of Isaiah is referencing to remind the Israelites of God's power.
"when you pass through the rivers…"
Isaiah's readers would have likely been reminded of the time God dried up the Jordan river for the Israelites when they were crossing over with the ark of the Lord. They even built a memorial, so that generations to come would remember God's presence.
"When you walk through the fire…"
In the book of Daniel, three men- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego- were thrown into the fiery furnace after refusing to obey the king's decree to bow down to an idol, instead of to God. They were miraculously delivered, and didn't even smell like smoke.
Even though this event probably hadn't happened when Isaiah was writing, god's words still come to pass. And today, when we look at His faithfulness to men in the fiery furnace, we can reflect on His promise in Isaiah, and remember that God is faithful to protect His people.
Recalling God's faithfulness in the past helps us trust Him with the future.
Even when faced with worst-case scenarios, God is not surprised. He's already gone before you. No matter what happens, Life's trials and difficulties will not get the final say. God is still powerful, still providing, and still protecting you and nothing can stand against our God.
So today, as you think back on your life, how have you see God's faithfulness? and how can those memories help you trust Him with your future?
SHARE YOUR FAITH
We all face hard things. But when those challenges come, you can know you're not alone. God is with you!
Recalling God's faithfulness in the past helps us to trust Him with the future. Remind someone of this truth today!
God, You know me, You know what I'm facing, and what I've already overcome. Please remind me that You are near. Show me glimpses of Your faithfulness in this season. Restore my hope and my joy, and teach me how to continue to place my trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
EZEKIEL 16-17
JAMES 3
THE LORD'S FAITHLESS BRIDE
“How sick is your heart, declares the Lord God, because you did all these things,
I have returned your deeds upon your head, declares the Lord God, You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the Lord.
THE LORD'S EVERLASTING COVENANT
yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. 61Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed. I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, 63that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.”
THE PARABLE OF TWO EAGLES AND A VINE
Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?He despised the oath in breaking the covenant, and behold, he gave his hand and did all these things; he shall not escape. Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”
TAMING THE TONGUE
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. no human being can tame the tongue. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
WISDOM FROM ABOVE
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
PSALM 121
MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earThe Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
INSIGHT
All adult male Israelites were to come to the temple every year to observe three national feasts (Deuteronomy 16:16). The journey was a perilous one, with travelers vulnerable to the treacherous mountain terrain, weather, wild animals, and robbers. As they journeyed into Jerusalem, the travelers sang from an anthology of fifteen “Pilgrim Psalms” or “Songs of Ascents” (Psalms 120-134). Psalm 121, often referred to as “The Traveler’s Psalm,” is one such song. It acknowledges the Israelites’ safety and security concerns and highlights God’s protection of them. This psalm is dominated by the Hebrew verb shamar, translated “watch[es]” (vv. 3, 4, 5, 7, 8) or “keep” (v. 7). The word means “to preserve,” “to guard,” “to watch carefully over,” “to care for.” As we tread through life’s uncertainties and dangers, we can be assured that we’re under God’s watchful eyes. He journeys with us, keeping us in His protective care.
By: K.T. Sim
GOD WATCHES OVER US
Two pilots fell asleep in the middle of their flight over Indonesia. While the commanding pilot had permission to nap once the plane reached cruising altitude, he woke up to find that his copilot had also dozed off. The two were asleep for about thirty minutes with more than 150 passengers and crew on board and while at approximately 36,000 feet altitude. The plane had veered off course, but thankfully the plane still arrived at its destination safely.
Human pilots may snooze mid-flight, but we can rest assured that God never falls asleep.
This is the comfort offered to us in the words of Psalm 121. In eight verses, we’re reminded that God is omniscient, or all-knowing about our life; omnipresent, or present all throughout our day; and omnipotent, or all-powerful and can protect us. The psalmist declares that our help comes from God (v. 2). He is our keeper and shade (v. 5), and He guards us from all evil while preserving our soul (v. 7).
God never gets tired. “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber” (v. 3). “The Lord will watch over your coming and going,” the psalmist concludes “both now and forevermore” (v. 8).
When we’re wondering if God has forgotten us, we can rest assured that He’s at the wheel. He’s always awake and watching over us.
By: Nancy Gavilanes
REFLECT AND PRAY
Why does it sometimes feel like God is asleep? How does it comfort you knowing that He’s always alert and aware of what you’re experiencing?
Almighty God, thank You for always watching over me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
MORE OF HIM, MORE LIKE HIM
FINDING SATISFACTION IN HIM
OBSERVATION
Psalm 63 was written by David when he was in the wilderness of Judah away from the place of formal worship. Describe his situation in verses 1 and 9.
He is in the dry and weary land.
Amidst everything, what was his desire?
God.
Describe his longing for God in verse 1. 2. What was his ultimate petition in verse 2 (note: check NKJV)?
to see God.
David’s declaration that God’s steadfast love is better than life is the anchor for his responses in verses 2-6.
List down the ways by which David responded to God’s love in these verses.
Seeking God, Looking upon God and His power and glory, praising and singing, lifting up hands, joyfulness and meditating.
What characteristics of God had David experienced that made him choose to worship God in the way that he did in verses 7-8? righteous, reliable Rescuer and Savior
REFLECTION
God has a track record of revealing himself in critical situations. God appeared to Isaiah when king Uzziah died. Ezekiel, Daniel and John had visions of Him while in exile. Elijah heard God when he was running away for his life. Recall a trying time in your life. How did God become very real to you in that moment?
David declared that God’s steadfast love is better than life. During times of adversity do you desire God the way David did or do you find yourself desperate for the temporal solution?
APPLICATION
In verse 8, the word “cling” means “to pursue with determination.” What specific resolutions do you need to make as you learn to pursue God with determination in your life during good or bad times? Who do you need to share this to who can help you grow in this area?
John Piper said that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. Being satisfied in God is a discipline cultivated by gratitude. Write a prayer of thanks to God that speaks of your gratitude for who He is.
