Promises of old sustain us today as we serve and walk with God
By Dean Collins
One of the advantages of reading the whole Bible each year is the way we see common themes throughout the Scripture and discover how they are expressed from the perspectives of different authors. Their varying viewpoints on the same teaching help us better apply the Scripture in our lives.
Shelter and refuge
For instance, both David and Isaiah place great emphasis on God as our shelter and refuge in times of trouble. Isaiah and David also agree that because we dwell in God’s shelter, we need not fear when facing enemy attacks or during seasons of hardship and stress.
Take a moment and consider the great promises King David and Isaiah the prophet applied in their lives and remind us to fully claim:
”He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. “
“For he will deliver you from the snare of the Fowler and from the deadly pestilence.”
“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.”
“No evil shall be allowed to befall you.”
“I will help you.”
“I will uphold you by my righteous right hand.”
“I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Claiming the promises
These are the promises the saints of old and even Jesus believed and lived by. In the wilderness, the devil taunted Jesus by quoting some of Psalm 91 to him. Jesus responded with another Scripture: “Do not put the Lord your God to a test.” The devil left Jesus alone in that moment, realizing he had no power over Jesus.
So what happened when Jesus faced those who eventually ordered him to be crucified? Did the promises of God fail? Not at all. Jesus chose the cross for our salvation. He knew his choice meant God could not look upon him as he took on all the sin of humanity.
The promises found in Psalms and Isaiah proved true at the resurrection. The help of God came through with power and might when Jesus rose from the dead. And because of the resurrection, Jesus has conquered all; by the gift of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can as well.
Fear not
Many Scriptures, including those in the Psalms and the book of Isaiah, tell us to fear not. Consider these references from Psalm 91 and Isaiah 41, 43, and 12:
“You will not fear the terror of the night.”
”Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.”
”Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
“Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you.”
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
But here is an important thing to remember: We will still face difficulty, opposition, and enemy attacks, but God promises we will never face them alone. With him beside us, we will get through them. By placing our full trust in Jesus, we have begun to live our eternal life. And until Jesus returns, everyone’s earthly body still dies. But when we die, we will experience the full and eternal life given us in and by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Knowing that Jesus is with us and will carry us even into his presence forever, we need not fear tough times or what we perceive as bad outcomes. Just as Jesus was ultimately delivered, we will be as well. There is nothing in this world that can or will ever separate us from the love of God!
Father, thank you for the promises of Scripture that teach us we are never alone. We choose to place our full trust in you and your promises to be with us in and through every challenge this world has to offer. Thank you for teaching us that we can face, endure, and even be victorious over the enemy attacks on our health and in every challenge this world offers. Because of Jesus, we choose not to be afraid because we know that you walk beside us and even hold us by your righteous right hand and will one day bring our full deliverance. We love you and trust you to walk with us today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Psalm 91:1-16; Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; 43:1-5; 12:1-6 ESV
Photo by grafxart8888 at istockphoto.com
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