The Lord is my stability in an uncertain and constantly wavering world. He is my safe refuge where I am able to retreat, rest, and rebuild my shattered hopes and dreams. The Lord is my advocate and protector when I cry out for mercy. The Lord is my Lord.
Tag: promises of god
I Kings 11:4 ” As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”
King Solomon had not followed the laws of God that commanded the Israelites not to intermarry with foreigners. Of his 700 wives and 300 concubines, numerous were foreign women who worshiped many gods. Instead of remaining fully committed and totally obedient…Solomon acquiesced and compromised his devotion to the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:12 ” ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.’ “
When we seek the Lord…He will be found, and He will listen. When we summon His aid…He’s right there to help. When we plead for mercy…He hears and moves on our behalf. You have God’s undivided attention anytime you call to Him…for He wants to shoulder the burdens you’re carrying.
Isaiah 1:18 ” ‘Come now, let us reason together’, says the Lord, ‘though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’ “
The Children of Israel had veered far off course…they had rebelled against God and were “off doing their own thing.” Now God was calling them back…repent or face judgment…turn back to Me and be forgiven.
Hebrews 11: 39-40 ” These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”
Hebrews Chapter 11, the great “Faith” Chapter in the Bible is a dichotomy of truths to the world. On one hand, it’s a litany of Bible greats who were known for their tremendous trust in God. But on the other hand, not one of them ever received their promise. In fact, Hebrews 11:13 says, “All were still living by faith when they died.” Do you have the wherewithal to hold tightly to your faith until the very end…clinging to the promises of God, even if you never actually see them?
Isaiah 58:7 ” Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
In this entire chapter, Isaiah is contrasting how the Children of Israel fasted, to what true fasting was meant to be. Fasting can become very self-centered…I’m denying myself, I’m going without, I’m abstaining from…I, I, I….you get the picture. But Isaiah wanted them to know that true fasting wasn’t about them and what they were doing at all, but rather, of reaching out to others around them. And interestingly enough, another meaning for fast – firm and secure – is exactly what the message of the Good News is. And what better people to help the poor than Christians who can fill the need both physically and spiritually?
Psalm 73: 27-28 ” Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all Your deeds.”
God will not stand for apostasy…spiritual adultery with pagan gods…whatever that god or idol may look like in your world. For anything that comes between you and God…that causes you to wander away from God’s instruction…that makes you think you know more than God…that’s an idol.
Psalm 73: 25-26 ” Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Elsewhere in Psalms it says, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.” For to lose all things is to gain Christ. Our well-being …both mentally, physically, and spiritually is in the Lord and Him alone. And even when our bodies grow old and weak, He’s our strength.
Matthew 5: 38-39 ” You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Jesus was quoting Leviticus 24:20 where the law stated that as a man had injured someone, so he was to be injured. But then, Jesus turned that law completely upside down by advocating loving your enemy and not repaying evil with evil…of doing good to those who hate you, and turning the cheek.
Isaiah 25:1 ” O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”
The steadfastness and certainty of the Lord can not be more apparent than knowing that what He has planned for us was decided long before this world began. This is shown even more beautifully in Isaiah 14:24, “The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’ ” God and His Word does not change…nor will His purpose and plans for your life.
Safetypinlove 