“But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, 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. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the fires will not set you ablaze.'” (Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV)
The razor wire did an amazing job. I didn’t have to touch it for it to rip my heart to shreds.
This was not at all what I expected. The facility’s brochure did not outline the details of razor wire, locked doors, searches, and supervised visitation. It was presented more like a rehab program, not a prison. I could only imagine the horror my son felt upon his arrival.
My son celebrated his 18th birthday in this place. His crucial mistake of downloading some unknown files to his computer threw our lives into turmoil, the impact of which would be felt for years to come. The injustice he went through was the worst betrayal of all.
The Bible is filled with stories of injustice. One thing is clear in the stories of Job’s season of suffering, Joseph being sold by his brothers, Daniel in the lion’s den, and the attempted assassinations against David . . . they held steadfast in their faith and waited on God’s timing.
I handed him an index card with Isaiah 43:1-2 written on it the day my son had to leave. During that season of our lives, I truly believed God would perform a miracle at the last minute. It was a time in my faith journey when I experienced a deep disappointment with God and questioned whether my faith was strong enough to endure. I wanted my miracle. I waited patiently for my miracle. I thought at least a miracle would bring glory to God in an unjust situation.
I didn’t realize it then, but Isaiah 43 would be how God answered my prayers. There was no parting of the Red Sea, but I knew He was with my son as he passed through the waters.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8).
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11).
Years later, I have stopped trying to figure out God’s purpose.
Over 14 years have passed since I first saw the razor wire. It would take nine months before my son would make it to the other side of the wire. Praise God it was about nine months sooner than we were told. I have learned that although I prayed my heart out and begged God to part the Red Sea for my son, my prayers were just answered differently.
God had my son on his own journey. My heart screamed out for God to part the Red Sea for him, but for reasons beyond my understanding, God chose to use my prayers to clear the obstacles from his path. The waters did not sweep over him. The fire did not set him ablaze.
The journey belonged to my son. It will someday be his testimony, not mine. God will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which it was sent. God was with my son as he passed through the waters. I choose now to hold steadfast in my faith and wait on God’s timing.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:3-4).
“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:7-8).
My son passed through the waters as I cried out for justice. Our Lord always keeps His promises.
by Shelby Skiles 
by Kelli Bachara 
