Through Deep Waters and Wilderness.

Our scripture for today is Isaiah 43:2 and 19 (NLT): “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 'For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.'”

Whether you're walking through something overwhelming or just trying to figure out what’s next, God’s Word reminds us that He’s with us in the deep waters—and blazing a trail in the wilderness. We all have moments when the current feels too strong or the path ahead is just plain unclear—but what if those are the very places where God is doing something new?

Life isn’t always smooth sailing. There are seasons when it feels like you’re treading water, just trying not to go under. But Isaiah 43:2 promises that God is with us—not just on the shore, but right there in the deep end.

I remember a season when life felt like one big wave after another. You know, the kind where just as you catch your breath, here comes another one? Those seasons can feel endless, like you’re not going to make it through. But looking back, I can see how God never let me sink—He held me up, even when I didn’t recognize it at the time.

Deep water may be uncomfortable, but it builds trust and endurance. You learn what you’re made of—and more importantly, who holds you up.

Have you ever walked through some murky waters where you couldn’t really see where you were going, but you could feel every step—whether it was mud or solid ground? In that walk, you may be uncertain, but deep down you know you’ll make it through.

Think about the last time you were pushed to your limits. What did God teach you in that season?

I once heard from a listener whose wife was going through a medical scare. He was deeply worried, but he also knew that with God, there was peace in the chaos. I later found out that his wife is recovering well, and through it all, their faith never wavered. That’s what God does—He doesn’t always pull us out of the storm, but He walks us through it.

We’ve talked about the water—now, we’re stepping into the wilderness.

Isaiah 43:19 says: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Ever been in a dry season where nothing made sense? It’s hard to believe anything good is happening while you're in it. But Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God is already at work—even when we don’t see it yet.

Sometimes life just feels stuck, like you’re wandering in circles with no direction. Think of the Israelites—forty years in the wilderness, with God literally leading them, and still their faith wavered. But here’s the truth—God says, “I’m making a way.”

I’m sure we’ve all had moments when things looked barren, but later we saw how God had planted seeds we didn’t even notice. We’re so quick to focus on what’s lost or dry, but God is in the business of new beginnings. What if the silence or struggle is just the soil being broken up for something new to grow?

We don’t always see what’s coming, but God is always working. We just have to hold on and believe.

Let me encourage you—if you’re in a wilderness season, don’t lose heart. God is doing something new, even now. Keep walking, because you’re not wandering—you’re being led.

Hold on to Isaiah 43:19: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Whether you’re swimming through waves or stumbling across dry land, the promise is the same—God is with you and He’s working. Let’s talk about trusting the process, even when it doesn’t look like progress.

Trust can be hard, but God has only ever proven Himself trustworthy. We need to believe that with all our hearts and let it transform who we are.

We live in a fast-food world, but God often works in slow-cook mode. It can be frustrating! But His timing is always perfect, and what He builds slowly, He builds strong.

God’s timeline is not the same as ours.

It may feel like we can set the pace, but we’ll only get so far on our own. Trusting His timing is a daily choice.

Every morning, we get to say: “God, I don’t know what’s ahead, but I know You’re good.”

Let’s be real—we’ve all had moments where all you can do is laugh. Like the time I tried to follow my GPS and still got lost. True story—I had the right address, but the app just didn’t work well. Once I switched apps, I finally got to where I needed to be. Turns out, we can’t always rely on what we’re used to. Sometimes, we have to make a change.

Trusting God is like that. It can feel confusing in the moment, but it makes sense later. I’m so glad I made the decision a long time ago to trust God more than my own understanding—because it’s the only way I’ve gotten to where I am today.

Today, we’ve been reminded of something powerful: No matter what season you’re in—stormy or dry—God is there. He’s making a way, even when you can’t see it yet. Hold tight to His promises, trust the process, and let Him lead.

Deep waters and deserts don’t last forever. Keep showing up. Keep trusting. Keep your eyes open—God is doing something new.