Doing what I do, I spend rather a lot of time flying in aeroplanes. And as those huge passenger jets trundle down the runway, it always amazes me how they get them into the air. So, you can imagine that I find this statistic somewhat troubling: commercial jets are struck by lightning, on average, once a year. Yikes!

Yep, that’s a troubling thought when you and several hundred others are hurtling through the air at 40,000 feet in the middle of nowhere. But here’s the good news:

When a plane is struck by lightning, people don’t die because the aircraft is designed to handle it. The outer skin is made of conductive materials like aluminium, which allows the electrical charge to travel around the outside (it’s called the “Faraday cage” effect) and safely exit, usually through the tail. Sensitive electronics are shielded, and fuel systems are protected. Planes are also rigorously tested for lightning strikes which typically occur without passengers even noticing. So while dramatic, they’re rarely dangerous.

And if human engineers can design something amazing like that, you’d imagine, wouldn’t you, that God would have a plan for when the storms of life hit us. As things turn out, He does:

Isaiah 43:2 When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you.

None of us is immortal – not a one. But through every trial, through every storm, through every flood, through every fire … God is with us until He brings us safely home. Don’t fret, don’t fear, because God is in this place with you!

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.