SOMETHING TO HELP YOU PASS THROUGH “DEEP WATERS”

I use the word “love” very sparingly in reference to inanimate objects, but I feel a deep sense of affection if not “love” for the following poem. For nearly 50 years I’ve had the first two stanzas of this taped inside the back cover of the Bible I keep on my desk. (Later, I found and added the two closing stanzas).

During some exceptionally “Deep Water” times in my life—times of disappointment, discouragement, doubt and distress, etc.—a revisiting and reminder of God’s promise in Isaiah 43:2, and a quiet, thoughtful pondering of the message in this poem, has been an indescribable source of blessing to me. I’m sharing it today in hopes that it will be for someone else, the cherished source of comfort and encouragement that it has been to me.

PASSING THROUGH DEEP WATERS

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.”
—Isaiah 43:2

Is there any heart discouraged
As it journeys on its way?
Does there seem to be more darkness
Than there is of sunny day?
Oh, it’s hard to learn the lesson,
As we pass beneath the rod,
That the sunshine and the shadow
Serve alike the will of God;
But there comes a word of promise
Like the promise in the bow—
That however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.

When the flesh is worn and weary,
And the spirit is depressed,
And temptations sweep upon it,
Like a storm on ocean’s breast,
There’s a haven ever open
For the tempest-driven bird;
There’s a shelter for the tempted
In the promise of the Word;
For the standard of the Spirit
Shall be raised against the foe,
And however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.

When a sorrow comes upon you
That no other soul can share,
And the burden seems too heavy
For the human heart to bear,
There is One whose grace can comfort
If you’ll give Him an abode;
There’s a Burden-Bearer ready
If you’ll trust Him with your load;
For the precious promise reaches
To the depth of human woe,
That however deep the waters,
They shall never overflow.

When the sands of life are ebbing
And I know that death is near;
When I’m passing through the valley,
And the way seems dark and drear;
I will reach my hand to Jesus,
In His bosom I shall hide,
And ’twill only be a moment
Till I reach the other side;
It is then the fullest meaning
Of the promise I shall know.
“When thou passest through the waters,
They shall never overflow.”

—Author Unknown

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Dr. Curtman has been actively engaged in Gospel ministry for nearly fifty years. He has dedicated his life to knowing and sharing of truth of God and providing readers with springboards for their own thought on a variety of subjects.