God's Precious Word Part 2

The Word of God, what could possibly compare to it? It is not from a finite mind of understanding, but One who has understanding that is infinite! (Psalm 147:5) It is authored by One who had no beginning and will have no end! And it is sent to us to show us this great Being, save our souls, and always give us hope through whatever circumstances in life we will ever find ourselves in. It is chock full of wisdom, knowledge, and insights for living. We need these words to help us in these light, momentary trials of life, so it will support us in the greater, heavier trials of death. And the way to godliness is shown in it, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1Tim.4:8)
But can we count on this God of the Word to not fail us in all He has written to us in His sacred word? Knowing that God cannot change we can have great confidence, assurance, and trust in what He says. A quite obscure verse to show us is Joshua 21:45,"Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed, all came to pass." It is His mercy to make promises, but it is His faithfulness and truth to fulfill them. A.W. Pink states, "If there were no promises there would not only be no faith, but no hope either. For what is hope but the expectation of the things which God has declared He will give us? Faith looks to the Word promising, hope looks to the performance thereof." He rejoices over us to do us good, Jer.32:41 states to us. Wow! A God who desires to do us good!
God is gracious to bestow these promises on us, and powerfully able to apply them to us. And so, the promises. Anxious? Isa.41:10,"Do not fear for I am with you, Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Fear about making decisions about the future? Psalm 32:8,"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go, I will counsel you with My eye upon you." Fear about getting old? Isa.46:4."Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your greying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you, And I will bear you and I will deliver you." Fear of making shipwreck of the faith? Phil.1:6, and Heb.7:25,"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. And "Therefore He is able to save forever those that draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for us."
Intercession includes the sense of pleading--Jesus is continuously and persuasively presenting you before His Father. Before you ever kneel down to pour out your heart to God, your Savior has already called out to His Father on your behalf. Even before you ask, He knows what you need--because He's with you. He pleaded your case yesterday, is interceding for you today, and represents you tomorrow too. Wow! If you could hear the Lord praying for you nearby, you would not fear a thousand enemies. "He is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble."(Psa.46:1) And to close, the great Apostle Paul says,1Cor.7:1," Having these promises beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Next week, Lord willing, some comments on "Kindness". Keep trusting in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Elder Randy Slak