To Water and Fire Impervious

“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,

And He who formed you, O Israel:

‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NKJV)

Both verses 1 & 2 of this chapter were part of the inspiration for one of the great hymns of the church. Take a look at the lyrics to, “How Firm a Foundation,” below.

“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;

For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Attributed in 1787 to, “K,” in John Rippon’s Selection of Hymns, this has been understood by various hymnologists to be either George Keith or R. Keen. The tune by which most American Christians would recognize this song is a Traditional American Melody from Caldwell’s Union Harmony, 1837 (Anne Steele), but is alternately attributed as Adeste Fideles.

Back in 1974, the Bethel Temple A/G youth ensemble sang a choral adaptation of this song (with an a cappella twist) in the Assemblies of God Teen Talent competition to great success. That’s a special memory for all of us; even more wonderful is the depth of meaning the lyrics hold for all of us, as believers. These verses were part of God’s promise to pull Israel back together from dispersion among foreign kingdoms to be once again a nation. Always His chosen people, even in times of distress, He held out to them the promise of restoration.

With all His heart God wants to favor us and lavish upon us His love. He wants to restore our nation but to do so, her people must repent and seek restoration. His promises are not a series of ifs and maybes, but resound with, “Yes!” and, “So be it!” Walk in His ways; live by His precepts; it will be well as we do so, but He will not forever suffer us going our own way.

Related Scriptures

“You have caused men to ride over our heads;

We went through fire and through water;

But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.” (Psalms 66:12 NKJV)

“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

And from the perilous pestilence.” (Psalms 91:3 NKJV)

“‘Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.’” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV)

“‘“For I am with you,” says the LORD, “to save you;

Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you,

Yet I will not make a complete end of you.

But I will correct you in justice,

And will not let you go altogether unpunished.”’” (Jeremiah 30:11 NKJV)

“‘Look!’ he answered, ‘I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.’” (Daniel 3:25 NKJV)