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: 1a – 3b.

The Prophet Isaiah conveys to the people words spoken by God Jehovah. In summary, it’s a message of safe passage for their journey. It is of great importance to know about existing conditions which may affect travel when one must make a journey. Usually the concerns and considerations do not always only consist of knowing precise directions or the shortest route, but rather, of great concern is traveling safely. Recently within the past week there were travel warnings due to extreme high winds, and torrential rains which caused flooding of creeks, riverbanks and roads in Southside Virginia and other areas.

It was deemed unsafe to travel in many areas. Trees were down in urban and rural areas as well as high water at many road crossings and low areas. Moreover, there were reports of fires due to fallen electrical wires. There were frequent emergency broadcast messages regarding warnings for travel in urban areas, the interstate as well on rural secondary roads. Schools, colleges and many businesses were closed.

Travelers were cautioned about potential unsafe conditions due to trees down and high waters from the storm. This situation precipitated telephone calls to loved ones inquiring about their safety and cautioning them about limiting their travel. Even upon attempting to make limited trips with caution it was necessary to use the aid of AAA, Google Maps, WAZE and the likes in that safety was of great concern.

However, in this life one knows it is still impossible to take care of one’s own self despite employing the utmost safety precautions. No matter how many first responders and safety crews that are on duty and available to come to our rescue, our lives are still in the hands of Almighty God who is the only one who can grant safe passage.

The essence of the matter is that “safe passage” is necessary beyond your local, national and international routes of travel. One should be aware that even in the best of circumstances and protection along life’s highways, one never knows the day nor the hour that the time that our life cycle will be called into question and therefore it is of utmost importance for all of us to be assured of the real safe passage from beyond the blocked roadways, swollen rivers and beds of fire.

Endeavoring to personally know the Lord your God, the Holy One, your Savior, is the key to the blessed assurance of “Safe Passage.”

REV. DR. JAMES TAYLOR III is pastor of Jericho Baptist Church in Farmville. His email address is jht3@verizon.net.