A GOD WHO COMMUNICATES – PART 2 - ASSURANCES
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
Yesterday, I wrote about the fact that we serve a God who communicates. He communicates with His people. He communicates through people. And…He wants to communicate to and through you and I. We saw where he communicated with Moses at the beginning of the book of Numbers and also discussed how God had communicated with mankind since the days of the first man, Adam. We also affirmed that God still not only communicates with His people today but still communicates through people to others as well.
Today, I would like to extend the subject of how God communicates to what He communicates to us. Specifically, I would like to focus on some of the assurances He gives us through His word which is full of them.
What is an assurance? Well, it’s defined as a pledge or something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence. Indeed, if we need to be edified, inspired or encouraged, we only need open our bibles and begin to read what the Lord has to say to us.
Let’s examine a few:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
This single verse from Deuteronomy contains eternal promises from God that can help us in times of trial. While Satan would tend to want us to feel alone, abandoned and forsaken in times of trouble, God’s word declares just the opposite. God will never leave you nor forsake you so you need not be afraid or discouraged. We know this because God’s word says it.
Question: Do you believe that God is with you and will never leave or forsake you?
“…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20b
These words come from Jesus at the end of His Great Commission…the command for His followers to go forth and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching others to obey what He had commanded. This task seemed very daunting then to His followers who were to go forth and carry on Jesus’ ministry at a time when His ideals were being rejected. After all, they had to think that it was those ideals that got Jesus crucified. They had to also be wondering whether they might be next. It was into this thought process that reassurance was given. For the followers need not think they were going forth on their own. Jesus tells them that He will be with them even until the end of the age.
Today, it’s critical for us to remember this as well. For we are expected to carry out the same commands that Jesus’ followers received over 2,000 years ago. And our day and time doesn’t necessarily give us any better environment to go out to tell the good news in. But we need not be afraid…ever. Because Jesus still is with us and will be with us even until the end of the age.
Question: when you go out to carry out the command of Jesus, do you remember He is with you…there to guide and direct you in sharing His gospel message with others?
“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37
Genesis added this verse as Abram and Sarai scoffed at the notion that they might have a child in their elder years. God asked them, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14) Interestingly enough in both cases the matter involved women becoming pregnant by less than conventional means. In other words, divine intervention was involved which more than reinforces the assurance that there is nothing impossible with God. After all He is God…Maker or heaven and Earth…Creator of all things.
Question: Do you properly acknowledge and comprehend the absolute almighty power of God? Do you realize that He can do anything for He is God? Do you recognize that He is a God of miracles?
“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
It’s inevitable that we will face hardship at some time or another in life and those hardships will result in burdens that we will have to cope with. Without knowing God, we would feel that we need to shoulder all our burdens and find a way to cope. But with God, we are given the assurance that He bears our burdens daily. We need only believe and trust in Him, remembering that with Him, nothing is impossible. And when we do this, we’re promised that He will give us rest…a peace in the midst of difficulty…a calm in the midst of the storm. And when we truly trust God to handle our burdens (which could include anxieties, fears, stresses, and fears), we can experience a peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
Question: Do you turn to the only One who is able to help you in times of trouble when you’re in need? Do you seek the One who bears your burdens daily…the One who yearns to lift you up when you’re down and bring you peace in the midst of chaos?
“…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
God works for the good of those who love Him. Sounds simple enough but it is a verse that gets misused way too much. For people too often believe that “God works for the good of those who love Him” means God will bring me good things because I love Him. People yearn for God to give them something or do something for them and when it doesn’t happen right away, they turn on God and blame Him for not intervening and fixing their problem right there and then. Maybe you can relate.
But God’s word doesn’t say He will give you everything good you want. It says He works for the good of those who love Him. This means that He might need to allow you to persevere through a difficulty because you need to grow stronger in patience, faith and trust in Him. And by allowing you to persevere, He is working for your good. Remember these words from Romans:
“…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4
Question: Have you experienced God working for your good…for the good of one who loves Him? Do you understand that working for your good might involve you persevering through a trial while God refines your character and faith?
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
I saved the best assurance for last. For it is not just a temporary assurance but an eternal one. God so loved the world…not the world itself but the people in it…His children…us. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son so that death might not have to be the end but rather just the beginning for anyone who believes and trusts in Christ Jesus…our Savior, Redeemer and Friend.
Question: Do you believe and trust in Jesus? If so, then you will be saved. If not, why not make that commitment right here and right now. Don’t delay because Jesus gave another assurance that I will close with. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
There is only one way to the Father and that is by way of His Son, the One who is The Way, and The Truth and The Life. Be assured of that. Amen
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
http://www.faithhopeandlove.info/
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
No comments:
Post a Comment