“I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;” Isaiah 43:1-2

This verse reminds me of the wedding vows we made on our wedding day:

I take you to be my lawfully wedded (husband/wife), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. We promised each other that we would stay together in the good times and the not so good. That is exactly what God says to His bride.

When we go through the waters – that means difficulties, Jesus has promised that He will be with us, holding us up and guiding us through. He has promised that as we stay by His side we will not be overwhelmed by the circumstances of life. No matter how fiery the trial, we will not be burned or consumed by it. Jesus has promised that he will never leave us or forsake us.

So many people give up on their marriages when things get tough. When finances are tight, misunderstandings happen or ill health occurs, some people want out of the commitment they made on their wedding day. Some people are like that in their relationship with God too. When He doesn’t answer their prayers in the way they want Him too, when financial hardship comes, or ill health arrives at the door, His love is questioned, His will argued with, and the decision is made to abandon the one that once held first place in their heart.

Separation and divorce are a tragedy for everyone involved. But as the bride of Christ, we need never fear being abandoned, separated or divorced from our heavenly bride-groom. Jesus’ promises to us will never be broken because they cannot be broken. He is God, and God cannot lie.

When He calls our name, and we answer His call, we are His forever!