“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10 NIV
Did you know? The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
Sometimes, people change God’s Word just a little to make it say what they want it to say.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Matthew 5:43-46
This correction came as a result of the Jews changing Leviticus 19:18 from
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” to “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”
Because they had suffered so much oppression from their enemies, they decided it was God’s will to love Jews but hate everybody else!
But God said what He meant and meant what He said. God’s Word is true. You can put complete trust in His Word.
“May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.” Psalm 119:41-42
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
We don’t really know how strong our faith is until it’s tested. And it’s hard to be joyful about our testing, but the Bible says,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2 NIV
My faith has been tested. It was so hard not to give in to fear and worry. Once, my daughter went to Kenya to help in a children’s hospital. Another time was when my son had to undergo back surgery. (You can read these stories at the links below.)
As mothers, it’s really hard not to worry about our children, even when they’re adults! So I had to ask myself, Will I choose faith or fear? It can’t be both.
I didn’t want my faith tested again. I didn’t care if it would make me mature and complete. I didn’t say it to God, but He knows what we’re thinking.
I knew I had to choose to trust God in both of these situations. It wasn’t easy because if I was worried and afraid, I wasn’t trusting God. But I was determined to not be afraid. I wrote out every Scripture that encouraged me to trust the Lord and to be unafraid. God’s Word strengthened me as I read these verses every day.
You have to CHOOSE faith! Refuse to be fearful. Pray and ask the Lord to help you.
This post was inspired by Alan Kearns’ post, Unshakable Faith on Devotional Treasures.
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
After the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, they began to grumble againstMoses and Aaron. They said,
“If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:3
Moses told them,
“Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” Exodus 16:8
As I read this, I was convicted about my own complaining. I realized that when I complain, I am really complaining (grumbling) against the Lord. (Thank you, Moses, for pointing this out.)
Read what the Apostle Paul had to say about this very same event,
“And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us…” 1 Corinthians 10:11
As Christians, we have followed Christ out of Egypt (slavery to sin). Let us trust Him to lead us.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Philippians 2:14-15
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark—that is faith”. Charles Spurgeon
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:3 NIV
A Psalm of David when the Philistines had seized him
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, … “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you…” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Ruth 2:12 NIV
” … casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. 1 Peter 5:7 AMP
“Worry is unnecessary; there is no need for us to bear the burdens when He is willing and able to bear them for us. Worry is futile; it hasn’t solved a problem yet. Worry is sin. A preacher once said: “Worry is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn’t know what He’s doing. It denies the love of God; it says He does not care. And it denies the power of God; it says that He isn’t able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry.” Something to think about! Believer’s Bible Commentary
That might be hard to hear, I know. Nevertheless, it is true. Refuse to worry; instead, trust the Lord who loves you. He will see you through.
In His Love, Cindy
“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12 NIV
The photo is of my daughter singing at her church in Houston, Texas. She didn’t know it at the time, but she would eventually meet and marry the man in the background. He is the keyboardist. Now they are the proud parents of my sweet grandson. Oh, the things God will do when we put our trust in Him! I’m counting my blessings!
I am adding this insightful and profound comment I received from Steve Rebus. I hope you will think about it.
“God’s blessings are often unfolding right in front of us before we even realise it… Sometimes God is quietly writing the next chapter while we’re simply living the moment.” Steve Rebus, iChristian blog
In His Love, Cindy
“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker
“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT
Are you trusting in the Lord? Or do you think He isn’t powerful enough to give you strength?
He is more powerful than you can comprehend! So trust Him now, and you will find new strength!
In His Love, Cindy
“God treated Jesus as if He had lived my life, that I may be treated as if I had lived His life.” Harvey Stalker
