Word for Today, Thu, 23 Jun 2005: Promises to God Based on Promises from God
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
I am using a great software package that is available at no cost
on free and open source systems. The program is called
BibleTime, and at least on the Linux desktop system I am using, I
was able to quickly download and immediately use it.
There are many other effective Bible study tools available that
you can purchase for your computer, but there are also an amazing
variety of things you can directly access using a browser and the
Web, so there is no need to purchase anything unless you want to
for your own convenience.
My pastor has been teaching a lot about the promises of God
lately. It is an important topic because when we know God's
promises, we know what we can count on. Once we know what we can
count on, we can respond with confidence and return our love to
our God. When we have a right relationship with God, regardless
of our circumstances, our lives take on meaning and purpose.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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Promises to God Based on Promises from God
He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So
we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Another acceptable category of promises to God involves those
based on His promises to us. God has already promised to be with
us every step of our pilgrimage here on earth. "I will never
leave you nor forsake you." Consequently, we can declare with
great confidence: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What
can man do to me? "
The Lord knows our vulnerability to fear, particularly, the fear
of man. "The fear of man brings a snare" (Proverbs 29:25). Many
traps and entanglements await those who are afraid of man's
opinions or actions. Abraham jeopardized his own wife, because he
was afraid of the Egyptians. "Therefore it will happen, when the
Egyptians see you, that they will say, 'This is his wife'; and
they will kill me, but they will let you live. Please say you are
my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I
may live because of you" (Genesis 12:12-13). King Saul sinned
against God, because he feared the people. "Then Saul said to
Samuel, 'I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment
of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and
obeyed their voice' " (1, ). Of course, God's protection against
such snares is to depend upon Him, when we are tempted to fear
man. "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the
LORD shall be safe."
The Lord has given many promises of His presence with His people
to protect them from man. To Joshua, God promised: "No man shall
be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was
with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor
forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). To Paul, the Lord promised: "Do not be
afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and
no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in
this city" (Acts 18:9-10). To every believer in Christ, He has
promised: "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Matthew 28:20). Therefore, "we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my
helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' "
When our promises are based on the promises of God, the
faithfulness and the ability of God become their validation.
Dear Lord, You know my tendency to think and act from fear of
what others might say or do. When I am tempted to respond in this
carnal manner, please remind me of Your constant presence. I want
to trust You as my helper and not fear what man may do, Amen.
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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