A Servant’s Request

A Servant’s Request

The Psalmist declared his judgment or discernment of right and wrong and responding justly to others. On the merits of a clear conscious before God and people he asks—

“Be surety for thy servant for good:

let not the proud oppress me.”

Psalm 119: 122, KJV

The psalmist, God’s servant, desired the Lord’s guarantee of goodness toward him when the proud sought to overpower him.

Guarantees we can count on are hard to find in our world today, no different than the psalmist’s world—more people mean more broken promises. The lifetime guarantees made on products are as worthless as the promises of those seeking power through governments. Only One fulfills the guarantee of good for his servants. He is our surety.

A surety in scripture is a binding legal agreement, a pledge of one party to another to make good on a debt if another cannot fulfill the obligation. The agreement binds the two parties leaving one master over the other. A practical example would be needing someone to sign a contract guaranteeing payment if the first party defaulted on payment. The Bible speaks to being surety for another person.

“He that is surety for a stranger

shall smart for it:

and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”

Proverbs 11:15, KJV

The psalmist looked to the right One to be his surety for good, by looking to the Lord.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield:

The LORD will give grace and glory:

no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

Psalm 84:11, KJV

At birth, all people inherit Adam’s sin debt—

• a debt he could not pay, nor can we—
• a debt requiring a holy life
• or reaping the consequence of eternal death, the separation from all that is holy—God and those who are his servants.

Jesus Christ, God the Son, became our surety, our guarantee of life eternal with him, through paying the debt we could not pay.

“By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament …

And he took the cup, and gave thanks,

and gave it to them, saying,

Drink ye all of it.

For this is my blood of the new testament,

which is shed for many for the remission of sins …

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost

that come unto God by him,

seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 7:22; Matthew 26:27-28; Hebrews 7:25, KJV

Jesus fulfilled the debt when he cried out from the cross, “It is finished.” The Father stamped the debt paid in full, with Jesus’s empty tomb.

At our physical birth we inherited Adam’s sin nature making us children of a sinful world. We were servants of the sin nature of our father Adam. Being born of God into his family, he has adopted us as his children making us servants not of the law but of his righteousness. We bear his image.

“Being then made free from sin,

ye became the servants of righteousness …

being made free from sin,

and become servants to God,

ye have your fruit unto holiness,

and the end everlasting life.”

Romans 6: 18, 22, KJV

We are the children of God whom we now serve not through the compulsion of the law of sin and death, but under the compulsion of love and life. As we desire to honor and serve good earthly fathers, how much more do we desire to honor and serve our heavenly Father, who desires to share his goodness with us—Jesus is our guarantee. We have his Spirit within us to testify to the truth.

“And because ye are sons,

God hath sent forth

the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,

crying Abba, Father.”

Galatians 4:6, KJV

A Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank you, Father, for answering this servant’s request through the giving of Jesus, God the Son, as our guarantee of your goodness toward us. May we offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving as obedient children in service to you.

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Deliverance

Deliverance

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous;

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

Psalm 34:19, NASB

How will it come? Why does it take so long?

When we order a product from the internet or from one of the few remaining catalogues, we are given choices in delivery.

• Standard-meaning whenever it happens to make it through;
• Three day-which is actually four-if there are no holidays;
• Next day-interpreted as three day delivery;
• and Same day-arriving, you guessed it, the next day.

We are an impatient people wanting what we want when we want it. As true as this is of our purchases, when pain comes to us the truth magnifies. We want deliverance yesterday.

Job’s trials teach deliverance comes for God’s children in his time, his way.

The Lord provides an escape through strength to endure:

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;

and God is faithful,

who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,

but with the temptation

will provide the way of escape also,

that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13, NASB

The Lord takes us through our trial, walking with us, until deliverance comes:

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar …

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us out of thine hand …

And these three men … fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace … the king was astonied … and said …

Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire …

True, O king.

He answered and said,

Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire,

and they have no hurt;

and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

(from Daniel 3, KJV)

The God who formed Israel, has formed us and says—

“I have called you by name;

you are Mine!

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

And through the rivers,

they will not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

For I am the LORD your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior …”

Isaiah 43:1b-3a, NASB

Job felt like the Almighty had abandoned him. So did Jesus. Paul felt abandoned when in prison facing death. Many are made to wonder when in their pain, if God has left them alone in their suffering.

• The Lord God will never abandoned his children.
• He will deliver.
• He walks with us every step.
• He holds our hand.
• He promises—

“I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU,

NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

Hebrews 13:5b, NASB

But why does deliverance take so long? I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but Job’s story provides some understanding.

• The way of escape differs from person to person according to God’s purpose and wisdom. Without fail, the escape/deliverance comes when we have nothing left to give, as Job stated—

“But now He has exhausted me …” Job 16:7a, NASB

• Deliverance comes God’s way to keep his witness in his children true.

Job hung on by a thread. Not only was his strength depleted, his witness to those around him had been destroyed.

“And Thou hast shriveled me up,

it has become a witness;

And my leanness rises up against me,

It testifies to my face …

Although there is no violence in my hands,

and my prayer is pure.”

Job 16:8, 17, NASB

• If Job had received his desire of deliverance through death, his testimony of righteousness would have continued to be rejected. He states truth when he says—

“Even now,

behold, my witness is in heaven,

And my advocate is on high.” (19)

Job’s deliverance, like the three Hebrew children, would not come through death, as did Jesus’s or Paul’s.

• Job’s deliverance would come and restore Job’s witness, his riches, his family, and his health.
• The glory of God in him would be restored—and according to Paul, deliverance didn’t take all that long.

“For which cause we faint not;

but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction,

which is but for a moment,

worketh for us

a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

2 Corinthians 4:16-17, KJV

• Finally, in walking with Job through his suffering and restoring his glory, the Lord receives glory and proves satan a liar. The Lord is able to “save to the uttermost”.
• Job didn’t serve the Lord only because of his blessings. He served the Lord because, he was, is, and always will be God. He loved and served the Lord because he is worthy.

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, 

is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY,

Who was and who is and who is to come …

Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God,

to receive glory and honor and power;

for Thou didst create all things,

and because of Thy will

they existed, and were created.”

Revelation 4:8c,11, NASB

“who is to come…” It’s been over two thousand years and Jesus hasn’t come. Why does he wait?

Scripture tells us,

• he waits because he is merciful, kind, and good, wanting no one to die apart from him.
• Jesus will return to rule in righteousness, when the righteous are overwhelmed by the wicked and only One can deliver—the One to whom deserves all the glory. Then—

“The people whom I formed for Myself,

Will declare My praise.”

Isaiah 43:21

For: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous;

But the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

Deliverance will come in a moment, a “twinkling of the eye.”

The Eyes of God

Eyes of God

“Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her,

“Thou art a God who sees …”

Genesis 16:13a, NASB

The spring water soothed her parched throat and carried her flood of angry tears away. How dare Sarai treat her like a slave. True she served Sarai, but now she carried Abram’s child within her. Hadn’t that changed who she was? Her shoulders drooped. Yes, it had. Hagar had usurped Sarai’s place and Sarai would not stand for it.

Hagar let the spring water filter through her fingers. Now what? She couldn’t return to Sarai nor could she flee to Egypt. The wilderness clothed her. No one saw and no one cared.

At that point, the angel of the Lord appeared and gave Hagar instructions to return to Sarai and promised her good. That’s when Hagar proclaimed—

“Thou art a God who sees …”

In our last post, Job asked, “dost Thou see as a man sees?” Thankfully, the Lord sees far more than we do.

• He sees with eyes of understanding, wisdom, and compassion.
• He sees the end from the beginning.
• He sees the good and the evil.
• He sees the depths of our hearts and the thoughts never spoken.
• He sees all.

And that is why we can trust him to lead us in every circumstance. There is no place we can go that God does not see. The Psalmist understood this truth when he wrote Psalm 139.

• “O LORD, Thou hast searched me and known me.
• Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;
• Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
• Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down,
• And art intimately acquainted with all my ways …

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Where can I go from Thy Spirit?

Or where Can I flee from Thy presence?

If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there;

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there …

Even the darkness is not dark to Thee,

And the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are alike to Thee.”

(1-3,6-8,12, NASB)

In the New Testament Jesus sends us out to teach all nations the gospel, and he promises,

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

We are assured he is with us, and he see us wherever we are. And because he sees us, we can know he is watching over us.

We, who are God’s children, can come and go in peace as we follow him. That doesn’t mean the trail will always be smooth, but it does mean the Lord will be our strength through whatever comes.

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro

throughout the earth

that He may strongly support

those whose heart is completely his …”

But do beware for He also sees when—

“You have acted foolishly in this.

Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”

2 Chronicles 16:9, NASB

“For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD,

And He watches all his paths.

His own iniquities will capture the wicked,

And he will be held with the cords of his sin.

He will die for lack of instruction,

And in greatness of his folly he will go astray.”

Proverbs 5:2 1-23, NASB

God is love. He is also holy. He doesn’t sit on his throne waiting for us to do wrong so He can punish us. The Lord watches us so

He can warn us, draw us, and forgive us, as well, as to encourage, protect, and deliver us when we seek him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.

God longs to extend mercy not justice—but when mercy is not received justice will come.

As Jesus came to reveal the Father to us, He also came to let us know he sees and understands our trials, our weaknesses. He wants to be our strength for He will—

“strongly support those whose heart is completely his …”

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Does it bring peace or angst to your heart knowing God sees all? Why?

There Was A Man

There Was A Man

Photo by kailash kumar on Pexels.com

“There was a man in the land of Uz,

whose name was Job,

and that man was blameless, upright,

fearing God, and turning away from evil.”

Job 1:1, NASB

The sun shines happy smiles over the land where thousands of livestock graze lazily. Adult children meet together and fill the air with laughter as they enjoy food aplenty. God is good. Life is good.

Then time stops.

Tragedy strikes not once but four times. Livestock is stolen, some destroyed, servants killed, and the children die from what we call, a freak event. The sun still shines but the clouds of mourning reign in the soul. “There was a man …”

Job was that man, but he could be any one of us. We might ask, “Why Job?” What kind of person was he? What do we know about him?

He was blameless, upright, feared God and avoided evil. Not many in scripture received this accolade from the Lord. It wasn’t Job’s sin that brought his troubles. Job stood before the Lord blameless. The Lord commands his people to be blameless.

“You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.”

Deuteronomy 18:13, NASB

Blameless, complete, perfect, having integrity. This is not found only in the Old Testament.

“Therefore you are to be perfect,

as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:48, NASB

Job lived in a different age. Is it possible for us to have this declared over our lives? Three men including Job did.

“even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in its midst,

as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD,

‘they could not deliver their son or their daughter.

They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.’”

Ezekiel 14:20, NASB

Their righteousness could not save their children or others, nor themselves from the trials and troubles of this world. In fact—

• for Job, it was his blamelessness that brought him trials.
• Noah was mocked as he obeyed God.
• Daniel was thrown to the lions for praying.

But each was delivered from evil because the Lord found them righteous. And our heavenly Father promises us, who are righteous, the same deliverance.

“No temptation has overtaken you

but such as is common to man;

and God is faithful,

who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able ,

but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,

that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13, NASB

Noah endured the trial and found deliverance in the ark. Daniel endured a night with the lions and was delivered without a scratch. Job endured his trials and in the end was blessed more than in his beginning. The Lord knows how to deliver the righteous.

The Lord God would not give us a commandment if it was impossible to fulfill it. We are to be blameless before him, complete, holy.

“but like the Holy One who called you,

be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;”

1 Peter 1:15, NASB

The Lord himself, in Jesus Christ, has fulfilled this commandment for us in that—

“He made Him who knew no sin

to be sin on our behalf,

that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21, NASB

As those made righteous in Christ, we can know—whether our trial or trials are for a night, years, or unnumbered days—God will not forsake his righteous ones.

“I have been young, and now I am old;

Yet, I have not seen the righteous forsaken …

Depart from evil, and do good,

So you will abide forever.

For the LORD loves justice,

And does not forsake His godly ones;

They are preserved forever;

but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off …

Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright;

For the man of peace will have a posterity …

the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;

He is their strength in time of trouble.

And the LORD helps them, and delivers them …”

Psalm 37:25a,37,39, 40a; NASB

And when the trial ends and deliverance comes—

“Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN

in the kingdom of their Father.

He who has ears, let him hear.”

Matthew 13:43, NASB

The Lord God did not leave Job in his trial but brought him through it and gave increase to his life both physically and spiritually. Endurance builds strength of body, mind, and spirit. Endure and shine. You are not alone, and the morning is coming.

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What questions do you ask the Lord when trials come? How do you endure?

A Cry for Truth

A Cry for Truth

In his novel Pudd’nhead Wilson, Mark Twain wrote, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”

As writers of fiction no matter how outlandish the tale, the reader needs to be able to believe the story is possible—even if the world is make-believe. God’s truth transcends the believable and includes the impossible. Gabriel gave testimony of it to Mary as did Jesus to his disciples.

“For with God nothing shall be impossible …

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,

with men this is impossible;

but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 1:37;Matthew 19:26

The writer of Hebrews, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us that God’s unchanging promises and oaths show us lying is the only thing impossible to God.

“That by two immutable things,

in which it was impossible for God to lie,

we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge

to lay hold upon the hope set before us;

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

both sure and stedfast,

and which entereth into that within the veil.”

(6:18,19)

We have the whole of scripture and numerous fulfilled prophecies proving the truth of God’s word.

• He created all,
• He delivered the  son of promise to Sarah when she was ninety years old and Abraham one hundred,
• He made Abraham into a nation,
• He parted the Red Sea,
• He raised the dead,
• and He has given life to all who will believe.
• Truth is our comfort and sure, steadfast hope.

A Cry for Truth

“O send out thy light and thy truth:

let them lead me;

let them bring me unto thy holy hill,

and to thy tabernacles.

Then will I go unto the altar of God,

unto God my exceeding joy;

yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.”

Psalm 43:3,4

A Promise of Truth

“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him:

he also will hear their cry, and will save them …

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you …

For the promise is unto you,

and to your children,

and to all that are afar off,

even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

(Psalm 145:18,19; John 16:13,14;Acts 2:39)

With truth being a precious commodity in our world, we need discernment to recognize truth from error. It is time to cry out with the psalmist for the Lord to— send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; It is ours for the asking. We have God’s word on it, and as we already know He cannot lie. When we’ve asked and believed Him to be true, then we give—

Praise for Our Belt of Truth

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise;

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations …

I will praise thee with my whole heart:

before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

I will worship toward thy holy temple,

and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness

and for thy truth:

for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,

and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”

Psalm 100:4,5; 138:1-3

Ask, believe His word, praise Him, and tighten your belt of truth to stand in the confidence and strength of the Lord.

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If you are not familiar with the “belt of truth” you can find it Ephesians 6:14 and read more from my blog, “Truth Comes in One Size.”

Promises of Glory

Promises of Glory Now and Forever

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power,

and the glory forever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:13b; NASB

In suffering, the Son of God revealed the glory of God—His love, compassion, justice, holiness, and wisdom. As Christ glorified the Father, the Father glorified the Son—

• in the power of the resurrection,
• with a name that is above all names,
• and an everlasting throne.

Jesus made it clear suffering comes in this world. When we watch the news, the evidence bears that truth. As Jesus glorified the Father through suffering, He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit for strength to bear suffering and bring glory to the Father. Two promises come to mind.

“And He has said to me,

‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’ …

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9a; Philippians 4:13; NASB

Those two are for starters, ones easily memorized, ones familiar to most. The following promises guarantee there is glory for us in our trials. For we could not persevere except by the grace, power, and strength of our Lord. By our weakness, the Lord is shown strong in us, in order that all glory belongs to Him.

Promises of Glory

Suffering, though not welcomed into our lives, brings great rewards when accompanied by faith.

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,

if indeed we suffer with Him

in order that we may also be glorified with Him.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared with the glory

that is to be revealed to us …

In this you greatly rejoice,

even though now for a little while, if necessary,

you have been distressed by various trials,

that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold,

which is perishable, even though tested by fire,

may be found to result in praise and glory and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

(Romans 8:16-18;1 Peter 1:6-7; NASB)

The fulness of our glory is yet to be revealed.

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.

We know that, when He appears,

we shall be like Him,

because we shall see Him just as He is …

As for me,

I shall behold Thy face in righteousness;

I will be satisfied with Thy likeness when I awake …

With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me,

And afterward receive me to glory …

And there shall no longer be any curse;

and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,

and His bond-servants shall serve Him;

and they shall see His face,

and His name shall be on their foreheads.

And there shall no longer be any night;

and they shall not have need

of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun,

because the Lord God shall illumine them;

and they shall reign forever and ever.”

(1 John 3:2; Psalm 17;15; Psalm 73:24; Revelation 22:3-5; NASB)

Now, the glory of God is seen dimly in us, but then we will be bathed in His glory! So when trials come let us endure and overcome by the grace of God that is our glory now and forever.

A Final Prayer

“To this end also we pray for you always

• that our God may count you worthy of your calling,
• and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power;

in order that the name of our Lord Jesus

may be glorified in you and you in Him,

according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 1:11,12; NASB

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

The Promised Kingdom

The Promised Kingdom

“For thine is the kingdom …”

Matthew 6:13a; NASB

A kingdom can be no better than its king, any more than the countries of this world can be any better than their political leaders. The character of the leaders of a country is reflected in the character of the country.

All heaven and earth consist of two kingdoms—

The kingdom of God, which is an everlasting kingdom filled with his eternal character and his children and—

the kingdom of this world, which is temporary, filled with the temporary ruler’s character, which is Satan, and those who are his children.

The Kingdom of God:

“Thine, O LORD,

is the greatness and the power and the glory

and the victory and the majesty,

indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth;

Thine is the dominion, O LORD,

and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.”

1 Chronicles 29:11

The Kingdoms of This World:

Note nothing, according to 1 Chronicles 29:1, is beyond the authority, power, victory, or majesty of God’s kingdom—including the temporary dominion the devil has had in this world through the fear of death, brought about by sin. Those still in his clutches have rejected truth. They, like Eve in the garden of Eden, have rejected God as their King and embraced the prince of this world and his lies for he is—

• “the prince of the power of the air,
• the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience … Ephesians 2:2b;

Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father, ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth and came from God;

neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Why do ye not understand my speech?

• Even because ye cannot hear my word.
• Ye are of your father the devil,
• and the lusts of your father ye will do.
• He was a murderer from the beginning,
• and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
• When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:
• for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8: 44-42; KJV

If God is our Father, we will love Jesus, God the Son. Satan has no power over us, for our power rests in the One who is head over all. We have been moved from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, with the promises given to those who love God.

Children of the King’s Promise

“That is,

it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God,

but the children of the promise

are regarded as descendants …

In the same way God,

desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise

the unchangeableness of His purpose,

interposed with an oath,

in order that by two unchangeable things,

in which it is impossible for God to lie,

we may have strong encouragement,

we who have fled for refuge in laying hold

of the hope set before us.”

Romans 9:8; Hebrews 6:17,18;NASB

A Few Kingdom Promises:

“I kept looking in the night visions,

And behold, with the clouds of heaven

One like a Son of Man was coming,

And He came up to the Ancient of Days

And was presented before Him,

And to Him was given dominion

Which will not pass away;

And His kingdom is one

Which will not be destroyed …

But the saints of the Highest One

will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever,

for all ages to come …

The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”

Daniel 7:13,14,18; Exodus 15:18; NASB

Revelation 21 paints us a picture of this everlasting kingdom.

• God will dwell with us.
• He will wipe all tears from our eyes.
• There will be no death, no pain.
• We will drink of the water of life freely.
• It is the inheritance of those who overcome this world.
• It will be a place of great beauty,
• A place with no temple, sun, or moon for the Lord and the Lamb will be the temple and their glory will be its light.
• Nothing unclean or any one who practices abomination or lying, will enter it,
• Only the ones with their names written in the Lamb’s book of life will be allowed in.

Jesus Christ is the one and only one who will usher in his kingdom—

“which He will bring about at the proper time—

He who is the blessed and only Sovereign,

the King of kings and Lord of lords;

who alone possesses immortality

and dwells in unapproachable light;

whom no man has seen or can see.

To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”

1 Timothy 6:16; NASB

For Thought:  Think about it. Two kingdoms, completely opposite, the kingdom of God, for the children of promise, and the kingdom of darkness for the children of the father of lies. Eternal is the only characteristic common to both. Which have you chosen to inherit?

Keep Praising, Praying, and Believing

Keep Praising, Praying, Believing

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil …”

Matthew 6:13a, KJV

Job of the Old Testament knew it, Paul knew it, and we all know someone, if not ourselves, experiencing long term trials that Satan wants to use to make us doubt the goodness and love of our heavenly Father. But our God tells us—

“You are from God, little children,

and have overcome them;

because greater is He who is in you

than he who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4; NASB

The “them” in that verse refers to the antichrist spirits that belong to the “he”-Satan who is in the world seeking anyone he can convince— that God is not good. But the greater He lives in His children and gives us His promises He will deliver.

The devotional publication from, Mornings With Jesus, the Jan/Feb issue, included a piece written by Cynthia Ruchti. She began with a scripture which will be our first promise.

“When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overwhelm you.”

Isaiah 43:2(ESV).

Cynthia followed it with a text image quote that said, ‘“I asked Jesus why He was taking me through troubled waters. He answered, ‘Because your enemies can’t swim.’” She went on to remind us of the account of Moses leading the Hebrew children through the Red Sea successfully, and the Egyptians drowning.

The Father’s Promises for Victory:

“No temptation has overtaken you

but such as is common to man;

and God is faithful,

who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able,

but with the temptation will provide

the way of escape also,

that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13, NASB

• There are no trials we face that another has not faced—and endured.
• God has the final say over the trials we face.
• He will not allow one to come to us without providing a way out  before we would deny our faith.
• His strength in us is that way.

“And He has said to me,

‘My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is perfected in weakness.’

Most gladly, therefore,

I will rather boast about my weaknesses,

that the power of Christ may dwell in me …  

But the Lord is faithful,

and He will strengthen and protect you

from the from the evil one …

then the Lord knows how to rescue

the godly from temptation,

and to keep the unrighteous under punishment

for the day of judgment …

 And after you have suffered for a little while,

the God of all grace,

who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,

will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you …

We know that no one who is born of God sins;

but He who was born of God keeps him

and the evil one does not touch him …

The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed,

and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom;

to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 5:10; 1John 5:18; 2 Timothy 4:18; NASB

• These promises are why those who have gone before us could rejoice in their trials—
• they knew their faithful God would deliver,
• their trial was not without purpose,
• and their heavenly Father had supplied faith and strength to endure to victory.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world;

and this is the victory that has overcome the world—

our faith.

And who is the one who overcomes the world,

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

1 John 5:4,5

For Us:

• Praise God—deliverance is coming.
• Pray for God not to let us enter into temptation but be delivered from evil by the grace of God which is your strength to endure.
• Cling to the Promises of God and rejoice for He is faithful.

“FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE,

HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME,

AND WILL NOT DELAY.”

Hebrews 10:37

Forgiveness Promised and Delivered

Forgiveness Promised

“And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.”

Matthew 6:12, KJV

*“I can’t do it, Tom.” Sam wrung his hands and hung his head. In a shaky voice, he explained. “I know what you say is true. Jesus did die to forgive my sin. He paid my penalty—But I’m afraid I can’t live it—afraid I will fail Him.”

Sam did not truly believe Jesus had the power to save him from himself. He did not know the promise the Lord made to Paul.

“And He has said to me,

‘My grace is sufficient for you,

for power is perfected in weakness.’”

2 Corinthians 12:9a; NASB

Sam believed he had to make himself perfect, not believing the Lord would be the one to finish the work of salvation once it was received. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians—

“For I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

(1:6; NASB)

Some believe when we receive God’s gift of forgiveness, when we are first saved from sin’s penalty and power, never again do we have to ask for forgiveness of our daily cleansing—and we don’t for salvation—but we do to know the joy of sweet fellowship with the Lord.

The apostle John writes the Lord’s promise to us, the saved, saying—

“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and

to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin.

And if anyone sins,

we have an Advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ the righteous;

and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins;

and not for ours only,

but also for those of the whole world.”

1 John 1:8-2:2; NASB

The Promises:

1. God’s grace is enough to finish His work of perfection in us.
2. If we are compelled by guilt to confess our sin to the Lord, He forgives us all—no matter who we are or what we have done.
3. Not only does Jesus forgive, He washes us from all unrighteousness. He makes us right with the Father.
4. We have an Advocate—One who stands before the Father for us—His own and for those yet to become His own.

These promises are for all who walk in the forgiveness of our Lord, those who can say along with the apostle John—

“what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also,

that you also may have fellowship with us;

and indeed our fellowship is with the Father,

and with His Son Jesus Christ.

And these things we write,

so that our joy may be made complete.”

1 John 1:3-4, NASB

There is another condition and promise to add to promise number two.

“For if you forgive men for their transgressions,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive men,

then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

Matthew 6:14,15, NASB

A Prayer for Us: Heavenly Father, you have made complete provision for our salvation from sin’s penalty and power through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Your grace will see us through to life eternal. You have given us your Holy Spirit to have power over the flesh and provided for our daily cleansing to keep your joy flowing through us. May we be as quick and faithful to forgive those who hurt us or others as you are to forgive and comfort us from our sin. Thank you, Jesus.

---

*Tom is my husband and Sam is not his friend’s real name. We don’t know the end of that story.

Have a blessed weekend and be careful to not let unforgiveness rob your joy of being with the Father.

Promised Provision

Promised Provision

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Matthew 6:11, KJV

Are you a worrier? How will you pay the bills? Will there be food in the grocery stores? One of my favorite passages promises me, under the care of my heavenly Father, I have no need to worry. He reminds me worry accomplishes nothing productive.

“For this reason I say to you ,

do not be anxious for your life,

as to what you shall eat,

or what you shall drink;

nor for you body,

as to what you shall put on.

Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing …

Jesus then takes the audience’s attention to the sky and tells them to see how our heavenly Father takes care of the birds. And can’t you see Him as He points to the white and orange lilies growing in a nearby field as He reminds his listeners at how beautifully the Father has dressed them? Jesus points out these things last a short while and the Father has graced them with what they need. We are His crowning creation. Jesus asks us—

“will He not much more do so for you,

O men of little faith?

Do not be anxious then, saying,

‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’

or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’

For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek;

for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

• But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness;
• and all these things shall be added to you.
• Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow;
• for tomorrow will care for itself.
• Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25, 30b-34; NASB

The apostle Paul leaves us with this promise—

“And my God shall supply all your needs

according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19; NASB

For Thought:

• Worry is the product of little faith.
• Worry produces anxiety.
• Anxiety robs us of peace.
• Paul said his God supplies our needs out of His rich surplus in glory. It’s inexhaustible.

Why would a person choose worry above trust? Worry works in our own strength—giving us something to worry about. Trust operates in the strength, grace, love, and riches of our heavenly Father. If He can’t handle whatever our needs are, we certainly can’t. So, are you a worrier?

“Now to our God and Father

be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:20; NASB