Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotion was written by Marge Webb.

Our scripture reading is from Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV), “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you… For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

When pondering my testimony, I thought of childhood trauma, depression, and financial disaster. I recalled the anticipation of our first grandchild that became a crisis when our daughter developed a serious complication, and the baby was born nearly three months early.

My testimony is not one life event but many circumstances that speak of God’s amazing goodness.

Ironically, as my life verse above tells, God was even with me one night eleven years ago through a dangerous flood. The widest tornado ever with wind speeds of 313 mph hit a town 25 miles west of us and killed three National Weather Service storm chasers. The same storm caused flooding in our area. The water was so high that a 15-minute drive from downtown Oklahoma City back to our house took two hours.

The saying, “Turn around; don’t drown,” proved true. We drove through water-logged streets until we hit roadblocks dozens of times, then tried a different path. There were nice people in various neighborhoods standing in the drenching rain, screaming to turn around; their streets were impassable.

We got home safely. Thirteen people did not. They drowned. Many others were killed by tornadoes that week.

So, you see this testimony is not just about life’s challenges. It is about the God who has always been there. It is not about sadness and trials. It is about God’s grace sustaining me. It is about prayers from friends and family lifting to heaven on my behalf. It is about knowing that rivers of water in the streets of my city will not sweep over me because God says, “I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Reflect upon the ways God has sustained you through trials.

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OhSoFree

Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com/