In Over Your Head
Isaiah 43:1-3
INTRODUCTION:
Well, good morning everyone! So good to see you all here today. Thanks for making this service a part of your weekend plans. Let me also give a quick shout out to our online family and those worshiping with us on FB and YouTube and our Website and App. We are so glad you’re with us!
In addition, today it’s an honor to have some of my family visiting with us (from Florida & Mississippi). My aunt Sharon, and my cousins Gay and April. They flew in for a girls weekend — and I hope they’ve fallen in love with the Upstate of SC as much as we have. Would you join me in WELCOMING them today?
Well, this morning we’re continuing our series — INTO THE WILD! Throughout scripture we find numerous examples of God meeting people in the midst of the wild. It was often (in the wild) that God would teach, test, and toughen-them-up to accomplish the things He’s called them to do. Frequently He uses the wild to reveal to us Who He is — and why He can be trusted! And that’s what I want to talk with you about today. I know I’ve told you before, but as a boy — my family would pack-up our car and travel to the Western corner of North Carolina. We vacationed regularly in Bryson City. This trip was filled with camping, hiking, rafting and tubing. It’s a tradition that I’ve tried to maintain with my family (as an adult). So, nearly every summer we take a drive to the mountains and make our way down to Deep Creek.
Now, Deep Creek isn’t the biggest river, but it is lots of fun. Along with its 56 degree water (year around) if has several small water falls and great rapids. About half-way down the creek, the banks widen and the creek gets deep. As a kid, we just referred to this area as the swimming hole. Well, a couple of years ago, I had taken my family and we were having fun. We had gone down the river several times that day…and at one point, we drifted over to the bank just before that swimming hole. And while sitting on our tubes at the water’s edge, we noticed an empty tube float by. Well, a few moments later — we saw a woman follow (being carried by the water). She was clearly out of control and having a very difficult time fighting the rapids (especially without a tube). That day the current was strong, the river was high, and the rocks were sharp.And, she just couldn’t catch a break. Every time she would reach for a limb, or try to stand against the current, she would slip and fall, and the river just kept pushing her down stream.
Well, in time, she managed to take hold of a large rock, and eventually make her way to the side (out of the water)…but not before being beaten by the jagged edges of many rocks. As she walked away, she carried with her — many cuts and large bruises…as proof that…for a brief moment, she was out of control and IN OVER HER HEAD!
Here’s the thing, I’ve lived long enough to discover that at times — life can become a lot like Deep Creek. And what might see like fun can quickly take a turn for the worst.
King David once acknowledged that truth in Psalm 69:1, when he said:
“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
Psalm 69:1-2 (NIV)
He seems to echo what could be called A THEOLOGY OF STRUGGLE. Something that each of us are keenly aware of.
TRANSITION:
Well, this morning, I want to talk to those who are maybe struggling a bit. Those who may need some help. Those who are feeling desperate — or maybe are fighting despair. If you’ve ever wondered what to do when you’re IN OVER YOUR HEAD, then this message is for you.
MESSAGE:
If you have your Bible, I want to invite you to turn with me to Isaiah 43. As you do, I’ll give you a little background. Again, we’ll be in Isaiah 43.
The book of Isaiah was written by the Prophet Isaiah. He lived and served the people of Judah. Judah was to the smaller of the two nations that had formerly been known as Israel. Some years earlier, the 12 tribes of Israel experienced a civil war and divided into two states. 10 of the tribes (in the north) kept the name Israel, and 2 of the tribes (in the south) called themselves Judah. In time, the northern nation was defeated by the armies of Assyria (mostly because of their sin and rejection of God).
Well, Isaiah lived in the south and didn’t want to see the same thing happen to Judah. So, he called them to repent of their sin — and live differently than their brothers to the north. But, in the end — that didn’t happen. And they too were attacked and defeated and taken into captivity in Babylon.
So, the first half of this book is really a warning — but the second half, is about God’s promise to watch over them and protect them…and give them hope!
So, in Isaiah 43, God speaks — and He reminds the people that even though they have been through a great struggle — better days are coming! So look with me at Isaiah 43 — beginning with verse 1. Here Isaiah writes:
1 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. 2 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. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)
There’s been a lot of preaching (as well as many books written) that teach (falsely), that if you follow Jesus, then you’ll never have to face pain or hardship in life. But, that wasn’t true for Jesus, and it’s not true for anyone who has chosen to follow Him. The truth is, as long as we live in a fallen world, we will always have problems.
And, no one is exempt from the turbulent waters of life. No one. Not even the most righteous and faithful Christ-followed. Following Jesus doesn’t provide you with immunity from troubles. But it does give you the opportunity to receive His grace and strength in the midst of your troubles.
And according to Isaiah, when you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD — you can be certain of this:
1. GOD KNOWS YOU FULLY!
This is a wonderful and life-changing fact. GOD KNOWS YOU. He knows you better than you know yourself. And He loves you. He loves you deeply, personally and wholly.
And so, He says — “don’t be afraid…because I know you!” Literally, He knew you before anyone else — and knows you better than anyone ever will.
Many people see God as a distant or apathetic. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. God is intimately involved in our lives.
He didn’t just create Adam and Eve — and then leave the rest to science; He personally designs and creates every single person.
Listen to how David put it in Psalm 139. He says of God,
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)
And so, as the creator of life — He has a special and unique claim upon each of us. Listen again to the promise of verse 1.
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for…I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
He testifies to knowing everyone in the family of Israel. But His knowledge far exceeds that nation — and extends to every person on the planet. Just as Godc knew them — He knows you.
He knows you — and your name! And He won’t forget it!
I have to admit, I recognize the value in knowing someone’s name. In fact, I work really hard to remember names. I’m not always successful — and when I forget a name, I feel really bad. But, I try hard to remember names.
I make word associations — Like DAN the man! Or Starvin’ Marvin! Dennis the Menace!
Or I try to say a person’s name in conversation — A LOT! That repetition helps me to lodged their name in my mind. Skip, I remember when I first met you, I tried to say your name over and over again.
Well, this past week I had some meetings for our District school of Ministry in Detroit. If flew out early Monday morning. And when I arrived, I realized I didn’t know anyone there! But that also meant they didn’t know me. And they didn’t know my name. And for a moment, I felt very alone.
Not being known can be a hard thing! But being known changes everything!
And in Isaiah, God says — I KNOW YOU! I KNOW YOU FULLY! And, I KNOW YOUR NAME!
But, more than that — He knows your heart. He knows your thoughts and your personalities. And your interests. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and struggles and fears.
HE KNOWS YOU FULLY! And there’s just something comforting about BEING KNOWN!
He knows YOU apart from everyone else. He knows YOU apart from everyone else with the same name.
Do you remember that passage in Psalms where the psalmist asks: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
It is astonishing that the Creator of the universe would know us. And yet He does.
So He says, when you feel like you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD…don’t be afraid. Because, I know you!
GOD KNOWS YOU. But in addition to that — Isaiah says:
2. GOD CARES FOR YOU COMPLETELY.
When you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD — you need to be reminded that God is not just able, but interested, and willing to meet you where you are (and care for your every need).
This includes the physical needs your facing. The financial needs which appear to be towering over you. It includes the guidance through relational stress and tension. And even the meeting of your emotional needs and mental well–being.
When life comes at you fast — and you find yourself IN OVER YOUR HEAD, you can be confident that GOD WILL CARE FOR YOUR EVERY NEED.
Consider the testimony of David — when he writes in Psalm 37:23-25,
23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 24 though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. 25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:23-25 (NIV)
Having lived a long life—and observed the constant care of God to His people, David says, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken!”
What a testimony! In all of His days, his observation was that GOD WAS good and attentive to the needs of His people.
It’s what Isaiah speaks of in verse 1, when he reports that God has said — “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you!”
And then in verse 3,
3 For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1 & 3 (NIV)
Understand, when you are in OVER YOUR HEAD, God will care for your every need.
You see, this is just God’s way of reminding you that He is in charge. He’s our protector and He’s our provider. And He is always looking out for our best interest. Again, Isaiah writes:
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.
Isaiah 43:1
(NIV)
God says, “FEAR NOT”, or DON’T BE AFRAID. You’re not responsible for resolving all your problems on your own. He’s saying, when you travel with me — I cover the bill. I’m not going to abandon you.
Understand, when you are in OVER YOUR HEAD, God will care for your every need. The greatest of which is your salvation — or REDEMPTION as Isaiah describes it here.
The kind of redemption (that God is talking about), is the kind that pays the bill for another. It was the term used in the Old Testament when ONE FAMILY MEMBER would pay the debt to get ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER out of prison or bondage.
Here’s the thing, during the days of Isaiah’s life — if a person was IN DEBT, OVER THEIR HEAD, they could be arrested and in-chained. Shackled, beaten, and thrown in jail. And there they’d sit UNTIL they could pay off their debt.
But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that your can’t earn a living in chains. So, this would be the END OF THE ROAD for you — unless…unless…you had a wealthy and generous relative!
If so, they could REDEEM you. Sort of BUYING YOUR FREEDOM. They could pay the price you owed. They could assume your debt — and you could be freed. REDEEMED!
And so, when God says —
“…for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
He is looking forward and speaking prophetically about that day when He would send HIS SON to be the BENEVOLENT RELATIVE and pay the debt for our sin.
And so, as He acknowledges the reality that MOST of our problems is a result of OUR sin — God says, “I’ve already handled the payment for you!”
In Christ Jesus, God has paid the price for our sin — and bought us back. Making us His twice. Because, as our CREATOR, He owns the rights to our lives. But as our Redeemer, He owns the rights to our lives again.
So, — His ownership is personal because He says I have called you by your name. But, His ownership is certain because He seals the deal by DECLARING “You are mine”.
I think God reminds us of this so often throughout the Bible, because we often forget it.
But this is critical to living a life of faith. If you’re going through a storm in life — it may seem like your world is sinking fast in the deep waters of life. But if you’ll confidently PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD, HE’LL care for you. Because, He’s not going to neglect the INVESTMENT He’s made into our lives.
God cares for you! Don’t forget this. God cares for you!
So, while the overwhelming floods of your life may feel like they are consuming you — they are not. They cannot defeat you and destroy you. Because as a believer in Christ, He can take the worst part of your life and use it for your good. (Romans 8:28 — “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose”).
So, while the waters may rise, and they may spray you, they may even soak you to the bone. In the end, they will not destroy you!
So, when you feel like your IN OVER YOUR HEAD, Isaiah says…GOD KNOWS YOU FULLY. And GOD CARES FOR YOU COMPLETELY. And lastly:
3. GOD ABIDES WITH YOU CONTINUOUSLY!
He will ALWAYS be with you! So, if you are IN OVER YOUR HEAD, you’re not alone. He’s there with you!
It’s one thing to deal with water levels rising above your head, it’s another when you encounter rivers that want to sweep you away alone.
Some rivers flow with such force that they can sweep you away before you realize it. In those moments — God reminds you, HE IS WITH YOU! Always and forever! Listen to verse 2:
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,
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
God doesn’t promise that there won’t be floods or fires. But when there are — He will be with us.
He will be with you through it all — good, bad, and indifferent.
Isaiah’s first audience would have understood this. Because they had faced the hopelessness of the RED SEA, and yet — God MADE A WAY for them through it (separating the waters and allowing them to cross on dry ground). And they would have remembered the stories of the JORDAN RIVER at flood stage, when God stopped the river from flowing so they could cross into the promised land safely.
Again and again, God proved His promise to be true — HE WAS WITH THEM. And so He is with you! So, understand — there’s no where you can go, that God isn’t.
—He’s with you in your home.
—He’s with you on your job.
—He’s with you when you walk the road.
—He’s with you when you get up in the morning — and when you lie down at night.
—He’s with you when you’re happy and when your sad.
—He’s with you when you’re gripped with fear — and when you’re not.
—He’s with you when you’re well, and he’s with you when your sick.
—He’s with you when you’re weary and tired.
—He’s with you when you do good and when you do bad.
—He’s with you when life is easy — and when it’s hard.
—He’s with you everywhere, and at all times — and most importantly, He’s with you now!
As David testifies in Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
What an awesome reminder of God’s abiding, comforting, strengthening presence with us!
So, don’t despair. Hold on to hope — and remember, God is with you ALWAYS!
Closing:
As we prepare to close this morning…I want to go back to the very first thing we discovered in this passage. And it’s this — GOD KNOWS YOU! He knows your name.
And that’s amazing. But maybe the bigger question is — DO YOU KNOW HIM? Do you know His name. Have you become fully acquainted with HIM? That’s what SALVATION is all about! That’s where hope is found…when you put your faith in Jesus.
It’s what Peter described in Acts 4:12, when he said: “For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
And that’s because — His Name is life. His name is love. His name is hope. His name a salvation…and redemption.
So, have you put your faith in Him? Are you living for Him? Do you trust Him? If not, then what are you waiting on? Put your faith in Jesus — and then look to Him for help when life gets tough. The writer of Hebrews put it this way:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
SALVATION: If you’d like to put your faith in Christ today — and experience salvation for yourself, then pray with me…right where you are. Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, I admit that I am a sinner and I’ve made many mistakes in my life. Too often, I’ve chosen my way over yours. But all that changes today. Because, I believe in Your Son, Jesus. I believe that He came from Heaven to earth to pay for my sin. I believe He died on the cross, shed His blood, was put in a grave — and rose again. So, today — I put my faith in Him. Forgive me of my sin. Save me and give me new life in you forever. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
Listen, if you prayed today and made a decision to follow Jesus — would you let us know? Stop by Guest Services in the foyer, and pick up your free gift today.
Now, I realize that some of you may feel like you’re IN OVER YOUR HEAD today.
Maybe you feel like your life is falling apart. Or…
Maybe you’re sick and need to be healed. Or…
Maybe you’re afraid and need some courage today. Or…
Maybe you’re weak and need to be strengthened. Or…
Maybe you’re grieving and need to be comforted.
If that’s you, and you’d like prayer — then stand with me, and let me pray over you!
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, I choose to trust you in this season. In the midst of my struggle — and pain, I trust in you! Thank You for your promise to KNOW ME and CARE FOR ME…and STAND WITH ME! Meet me at the point of my pain, and give me hope? Heal me, encourage me, strengthen me, and comfort me — as I trust in you! In Jesus name, amen!
BENEDICTION:
Once again, as we end this morning — I want to send you out with a benediction, or blessing, based off of the passage we’ve studied this morning.
May you go today in the strength of the Lord.
May you be emboldened by His promises to always love you, care for you, and remain with you. May you overcome fear with faith, and may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen!