HOPE

Jack Davis

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans. 15:4 & 13

Who in the world, who on earth has anything good to look forward to? I like to think of hope as happy expectation, or pleasant anticipation of good. The word deals mostly with the unseen future. Believers beloved of the Lord, should never be hopeless. The God of hope has written marvelous messages to our hearts that comforts, teaching us patience, producing and promoting an experimental hope. Ignorance and unbelief stand in the way of this reality.

God our Father is indeed the author and Jesus Christ is the object upon whom our hope is to be fixed. I Tim. 1:1. His redemptive cross and His resurrection is the ground upon which our hope is based. I Pet. 1:3, I Cor. 15:12-20, Rom. 4:25.

Through the comfort of the Scriptures we have Hope, for God’s Word tells us what to expect. The scriptural promises define Christian hope. By faith we may enter therein, and stay by the “Hope of the Gospel,” Col. 1:5,23. And be stirred by the “Hope of Glory” – Col. 1:27, Rom. 5:2, Titus 2:13. Paul prayed that the saints would know the hope of God’s calling, not only what God expects but also the wonderful prospects in store for those responding to the gospel call. Eph. 1:18. He also urged that the hope of our calling unite us. Eph. 4:4.

The believer’s hope is described in Scripture as “good” – II Thess. 2:16, “better” – Heb. 7:19, “Blessed” – Titus 2:13, and “living” – I Pet. 1:3. In the Old Testament, that which was written aforetime for our learning, teaches us to depend upon God, and His promises. “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Ps. 119:49,81,114.

A well rounded hope is the resultant outcome of growth under daily pleasures such as expressed in Rom. 5:2-5, tribulation, patience, and experience. It greatly stimulates and strengthens our hope when we can see in the Scripture how these elements worked in those who truly trusted while being sorely tested. I think of the example of Abraham and Sarah. (“As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations) before him whom he believed, even God who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform.” Rom. 4:17-21.

Therefore Abraham learned by experience to count on Him that was able to call into existence that which didn’t exist. While facing great difficulty, impossibility, and knowing of both he and Sarah’s physical incapability, contrary to all human expectation, they counted on God to fulfill His promise. Heb. 11:11.

We read in Hebrews 6:15, “And so after he (Abraham) had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hope finds its greatest expression in endurance under trial. Paul commends that “patience of hope,” wherein we await the coming of Christ. We are urged to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises, and show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. God’s word strongly encourages us who have fled to Him for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us, in fact is laid up for us in heaven. As we lay hold of that which is laid up, it stays and stabilizes us during the many storms of this earthly sojourn, anchoring our soul.

Hope in Christ, generally characterizes what sort of person we become, as well as the actions it produces. See I Pet. 3:15-16, II Pet. 3:11, such contains great purifying propensity and powers activated with faith and promoted by love. I John 3:1-3. Expecting Jesus’ return and our complete ultimate deliverance is indeed great protection for our minds in the most stressful times. I Thess. 5:8, I Pet. 3:13.

By being currently aware of the good of glory and grace that awaits us, serves to overcome depression and is the opposite of despair, or hopelessness. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psa. 42:11.

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” Gal. 5:5. The hope of the righteous is not to become righteous, but describes what the righteous are to expect. That which pertains or belongs to the righteous is especially the believers complete conformity to God’s will at the coming of Christ.

At the beginning of this article we quoted Rom. 15:13, God the source, giver, fountain of hope has for us His wonderful qualities of joy and peace and he purposes to fill His children with these. The power of the Spirit has made us alive unto God. He makes these characteristics alive in us, filling us with abundant life. Therefore it is our privilege by the yieldedness of faith to make ourselves available, accessible for such wonderful infilling.

This provision has multiplied purposes, not the least of which is the imparting hope. Verse 4. Yet, it is important that we more than “have hope,” but rather abound therein! Our Father would have us looking ahead with contagious Holy Spirit inspired infused enthusiasm!! In the same way He floods our being with joy and peace, and saturates our hearts with love, He makes His trusting people abundantly expectant. He gives an overflowing supply making our whole life and outlook radiant with glorious, joyous expectation.

 GRACE

                

Gordon Crook

                                           

Grace could be considered the most essential of all the teachings for the Church today. Paul’s epistles are centered around Grace. In some respect, however, Grace is one of the most controversial teachings in the epistles of Paul. Many believe that to teach grace is to teach licentiousness. There are others who believe that God is all loving and so gracious that He would never allow anyone to go the hell. Neither of these is scriptural. It is my opinion (based on scripture) that a personal revelation of the  Grace of God is of utmost importance to the growth of the child of God.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” Titus 2:11-15.

The grace of God has appeared to all men. Paul tells us in Romans that all men are without excuse. God has revealed Himself in many ways to humanity, the greatest of these being in the gift of His Son on Calvary. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” John 1:14. The psalmist tells us that all of creation reveals God unto us. Those who were alive in the time of Jesus had the privilege of seeing God’s grace in person, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, was God’s grace revealed unto them only? No, His grace is revealed through the Word unto us today. We must by faith accept and appropriate the grace of God personally. Rom. 5:2.

Grace is not merely favor, but rather mercy, loving kindness, a free gift. Favor may be deserved or gained, but grace is totally undeserved and unmerited. There was none that deserved the grace of God, and yet He offered it freely in His Son. In Rom. 4:4, grace is contrasted with debt. If it is owed, it is not by grace. In Romans 11:6, grace is contrasted with works. If we can work for God’s favor, it is no longer grace. In John 3:16 we see the grace of God. God so loved the world, but in His righteousness could not (not that He would not) accept sinful man. He had to atone for our sins before He could accept us into His presence. Do you see the grace shown here? Man believes that God is so all loving that He could never send anyone to hell. Well, God is so all loving that He provided a way to escape, but it is our responsibility to accept His grace.

Eph. 1:13-14, 2:4-10 and 2 Cor. 8:9 teach us about the wonderful grace of God, and how He intends to show, through us, His grace throughout eternity. Our finite little minds cannot comprehend the fulness of this plan, but we can take hold by faith of all that He has for us, and He still get glory for that. 

Psalms 103:10 is possibly the best description of the grace of God. The psalmist knew about God’s mercy and lovingkindness. He had experienced the grace of God in his life. Have you experienced the grace of God? So you have a good understanding of the grace of God? Ask God to give you a revelation of His grace. I repeat again, it is of utmost importance in our lives to have a full revelation of the grace of God. It will cause us to live godly lives in this world. Those who think that teaching grace invites licentious living, do not have a revelation of the grace of God. Paul tells us that grace teaches us to live godly, not ungodly, lives.

I have never considered myself a very good writer, and trying to explain what the Lord has shown me concerning His grace is proving this to be true. I cannot put together the words to teach you adequately about the grace of God. You must take time to study this for yourself and ask God to give you a greater revelation of His grace. There is so much in the Word about grace. The Bible is a book about Him and in it we find His grace revealed, but until His grace becomes real to us on a very personal basis, we cannot truly live godly lives for Him. It is grace that teaches us.

Godliness is an outward manifestation of the inward life. In Ephesians we are told that we are created unto good works. The new creation in us is only capable of godly living, and as we yield to the new creation, we will live godly here and now. Christ always accompanied His forgiveness with the statement “go and sin in more.” He was compassionate, but He wanted righteous living. We can live righteous lives, because of His grace. The outward manifestation of the inward life is essential to shine the light of the gospel to those around us. In I Thess. 1:5-10 shows what a godly life can do. Paul says that he did not even have to Say anything because these saints had lived a exemplary lifestyle.

Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric of the world today.  Christ is coming soon and we must be ready. We must be prepared to be showed off for all eternity as examples of the grace of God, but He will not show off ungodly lives. This is  not a matter of being better than someone else. Again, the grace of God leaves no room for that kind of thinking. This is a matter of bringing glory and honor to our Father. Please consider carefully the things concerning the grace of God, and may God grant you a deeper fuller revelation.

 CALLED CHOSEN AND SEPARATED UNTO GOD

Anita Clark – Pastor

Grace Chapel, Carbondale, Kansas

Throughout the Old Testament we read that God chose men and women to serve him in special ways. We see Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the Prophets and King David and many more. As we read the New Testament we see many more individuals i.e. the Disciples, and the Church Apostles, including especially Apostle Paul.

Apostle Paul wrote to the people of God in Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called as apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. The word used here “Apostle” means “a delegate, ambassador, he that is sent.” Many characters in the Bible were chosen by God before they were born. We see this in Galatians 1:15-16, where Apostle Paul says, “But when it pleased the Father, who separated me from my mother’s womb; and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”

 In Romans 8:28, Paul says, He was “called according to His purpose.” In verse 29, Paul says, “Whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.” The word “conformed” in the Greek means “fashioned like unto.” The word “image” means “likeness or resemblance.” Verse 30 states, “Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called, them He also justified, them He also glorified.” The word “justified” means “just, innocent, or righteous.” Those who are “righteous” are declared “glorified.” (“rendered glorious”). In this portion of the Scripture, Apostle Paul speaks of 6 steps of the work of God in our lives: 1. “Whom He foreknew” (Vs.29). 2. He did “predestinate” (Vs.29). 3.”He conformed (fashioned like His Son) (Vs.29). 4. “He Called” (Vs.30). 5. “He justified” (declared innocent and righteous). (Vs.30). 6. “He glorified” (Vs.30) (“to render glorious, honored, and to magnify”). Also in Ephesians 1:4, “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of sons...” The word “predestinated” means “to determine before, or ordain.” The words “adoption of sons,” means “son placing.”

The second part of this message is “We Belong To Christ.” Jesus said this in Mark 9:41. We need to be separated unto the Lord. In II Corinthians 6:14-18, Apostle Paul emphasizes this theme, speaking of the separation of believers in Christ. Verse 14 states the separation of the believers with unbelievers, and how we are not to marry unbelievers. Verses 14-16 stress the fact that spiritually light and darkness do not mix. Verse 16 states, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Paul was dealing with real worship of literal idols in his day. Today, many various religions worship idols. Our God is real and living not made with stone or gold or some other precious stone. 

Verse 17 “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters saith the Lord Almighty.” “Idols” are anything in the world that we love more than God the Father and Jesus Christ. In John 15:19 Jesus said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

Do you feel this? Jesus said, we belong to Him. We are separated unto Him. John 17:16, Jesus said in his prayer to His Father, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Romans 12:2, states, “Be not conformed to the world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The word “conformed” means “to be fashioned like.” The word “transformed” is the word “metamorphose.” This speaks of the change that happens in our lives as we yield to the Lord, and His Word. I Corinthians 7:31 says, “They that use this world, as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away.” This verse in The Amplified Version reads like this, “And those who deal with this world, over using the enjoyments of this life, let them live as though they were not absorbed by it, and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world - the present world order is passing away.” Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME, I’M JUST A PASSING THROUGH, MY TREASURES ARE LAID UP SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE BLUE.

 JONAH

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

Jonah 4:10—”Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:” 

Jonah’s Pity: “Then said the Lord”—Jonah had answered the Lord’s question, but he had answered in anger, he did not hide it, he was not ashamed of it, and he had not yet judged it.  Now, it is the Lord’s turn and He answered Jonah differently. He speaks personally to His prophet. He speaks powerfully. He speaks patiently to His prophet. The Lord could have spoken in anger but He did not. The very way He answers Jonah is part of the lesson He is trying to teach him. He shows patience to Jonah to teach Jonah patience. What the Lord does is look past the anger and focus on another emotion that Jonah felt, a different emotion, an emotion he maybe did not even admit to himself. The Lord focuses on the pity behind the anger. He focuses on the plant that caused the pity.  He uses the pity for the plant to teach Jonah to pity the people.  The Lord reveals His patience which reveals His grace.  It is His patience made verbal and His grace made visible.  It is “a word fitly spoken” (Prov.25:11).  It is “grace seasoned with salt” (Col.4:6). It is knowing “how ye ought to answer” (Col.4:6). It is “speaking the truth in love” (Eph.4:15). It is how we should answer and can answer because of the Christ life. It is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Thou hast had pity on the gourd”— The word “pity” has two levels of meaning. It means “to look upon with compassion.” It means to see it.  It means “to have compassion for it and to feel it. It is one thing to look and another to feel. Jonah did both. The Lord uses pity and not anger as the basis for His lesson to His prophet. Jonah did not just feel anger, he felt pity, though he did not admit it. Jonah said that he was angry for the gourd but the Lord said he was sorry for the gourd. Jonah saw the worth of the plant and felt the loss of the plant. The Lord knows our heart better than we do. He knew Jonah’s heart better than Jonah did. The gourd is a practical lesson used to teach Jonah a spiritual lesson.  He knows Jonah felt compassion for the plant, He wants Jonah to feel compassion for the people.  Jonah needs to be like Abraham who felt compassion for the wicked in Sodom. He had prayed the righteous might be spared (Gen.18:23-33). Abraham would have rejoiced if there were any righteous that were spared. The people of Nineveh were not righteous but they had repented, God had spared them and Jonah should have rejoiced. The Lord will show the value of the plant is not greater than the people. He is the Creator. He has complete power over His creation.

God’s Plant: “for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:”— By this statement the Lord declares that this was His plant and that He is Sovereign. He can do what He wants with what He creates.  There are four statements that the Lord makes to show His Sovereignty.

God Planted it: “for the which thou hast not labored.” Jonah did not work for it, or ask for it. It was provided by grace, and Jonah received and accepted it through grace.

God Nurtured it: “neither madest it grow., Jonah did not give it life or sustain that life. 

God Created it: “which came up in a night,” this was the first miraculous sign. It came up unexpectedly and suddenly. It came up because it was needed. It was a blessing from the Lord.

God Destroyed it: “and perished in a night,” this is the second miraculous sign.  It lasted only a short time.  It met a need when it was given and it revealed a need when it was taken away. The One who gave it also took it away.  We do not understand it. We do not question it. We can only learn from it. God has a right to do what He wants. He can give life and He can take life. He can destroy a people and He can forgive a people. His justice and righteousness is balanced by His mercy and His grace. This is a lesson in the power and the provision and the sovereignty of God.

God’s  Mercy:

Is Eternal, Ps. 103:17, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him…

And Boundless, Ps. 108:4, “For thy mercy is great above the heavens…and reacheth unto the clouds.”

Making Salvation Possible, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

 God’s Timing and Purposes – Ecc. 3:1-8

Part 21

Pastor Vicky Moots

Kingman, Kansas

Ecc. 3:8d: “…and a time of peace.”  A time of peace is always the desired result after “a time of war,” but it comes at a great price: the blood of those who fought the battle.  Spiritual peace is also the result of precious blood that was shed.  It is the result of the battle that was won on the cross by Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us in Col. 1:20 that Jesus “…made peace through the blood of his cross…”  We receive that peace by faith in His atoning sacrifice, as Paul declares in Rom. 5:1: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  By accepting Christ as Savior, we have peace with God, and no longer need to fear His judgment.

But, as Christians, did you know that we can have peace even in the midst of our battle, even in the foxhole while surrounded by the enemy, even in the midst of our stormy trial? Sometimes the battle is raging all around us, and at other times it is raging within, but we can still have peace.  Not only can we have peace with God through salvation, through the blood of Jesus, but we can also have the peace of  God, through Christ.

Jesus speaks peace to us through His Word, as He stated in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace…”  He spake peace to the wind and the waves, as well as to the troubled disciples, in Mark 4:39, when He said, “…Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

His Word still speaks to us today and brings peace to our troubled hearts, if we will but read it and heed it.  David, who had faced many trials and battles, found this to be true in His own life and exclaimed in Ps. 85:8, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints…”  There is power in His voice, and yet it brings peace when we are fearful and under attack by the enemy.

Are you willing to listen and to hear what the Lord is speaking to you from His Word? Faith comes by hearing what God is saying.  Let His Word speak to your heart personally, and you will discover the peace of God which Paul referred to in Phil. 4:7: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The peace of God is not like the peace of this world.  The word “peace” means “the absence of conflict,” but that only applies to natural peace.  The peace of God safe-keeps, or guards, our hearts from conflict in the midst of the conflict, both physical and spiritual, which is all around us. This peace is beyond all human comprehension.  It is not a state of mind; it is a state of the heart.  Unbelievers can not understand it, for it must be experienced spiritually.

The peace of God is the peace that Jesus promised to His disciples, and to us, shortly before going to the cross: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

So, we see that we are now in both “a time of war” and “a time of peace” during these end-times. Satan is attacking us from all sides, and there are many things currently happening which are causing people to fear.  However, we need not fear the things that are coming to pass, for we can have peace in our hearts, no matter what happens, if we keep our minds and our eyes focused on the Lord, and not on the world or our circumstances.  God promised this to us in Isa. 26:3: “Thou [God] wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee…”  The word “stayed” means “fixed; established; unwavering.” This means that if we unwaveringly fix our minds on the Lord, then we will have an unwavering, perfect peace in spite of the circumstances.

Are you still looking for “a time of peace” in your life? There is no way to have true peace, the peace that passes understanding, other than through the blood of His cross.  His blood has made peace between God and man, and Jew and Gentile, and can give us peace in our hearts.  Now is the time to stop your struggling and to claim your “time of peace” through the Prince of Peace who was sent by God to bring “peace on earth, good will to men.”

 “Awaiting Deliverance”

Pastor Greg Gilliam

Grace Christian Assembly

Independence, Missouri 

“Who (God) delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;”  II Cor. 1:10.

We have all had times in our lives when God brought a quick deliverance. Amen? However, sometimes the deliverance doesn’t come quickly.  It is with long patience that we wait for it and then it comes. Sometimes those praying for the deliverance never see the deliverance come in their lifetime. I think of a dear sister who prayed constantly for her son to come back to the Lord. She went home to be with the Lord.  In the months following we saw her son start attending the assembly. Later her son became an elder in our assembly before going home to be with the Lord. Don’t stop praying dear one. God hears your prayer and will answer.

Yet other times we (emphasis placed on the word we) see no deliverance ever come. Many of God’s children find themselves “Awaiting Deliverance.” A circumstance in their life. A child with an illness. A personal physical ailment. Comfort from a grieving heart. Maybe something that I haven’t mentioned here. I am not going to try to tell you how God will move in your circumstance. I am not going to make you a promise or give you some flowery words. I do know that God is sovereign and will do with things as He sees fit. I only know that, “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” - I Cor. 10:13.

It is during these times of “Awaiting Deliverance” that we take solace in the scriptures. We search the scriptures allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us from the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is faithful to give us that portion that we need, for that particular time. I liken this to a baby bird awaiting its mother to come back to the nest with something for it to eat. They are anticipating her return.  We too are awaiting our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to move in circumstances in our lives for which we find ourselves “Awaiting Deliverance.”  

As we think of those “Awaiting Deliverance” let us look at several references in scripture. The Children of Israel faced terrible burdens (Ex. 1:11, 13, 14). Taskmasters were set over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built for Pharaoh treasure cities, and the Egyptians made them to serve with rigour: making their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. Moses is born and when he is grown (several years has passed and the Children of Israel are still faced with these terrible burdens). We read in Ex. 2:11, “...that Moses went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens:” Ex. 2:23-25, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. God speaks to Moses (Ex. 3:7), “I have surely seen the affliction of my people…and have heard their cry…I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. I have seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that God knows exactly what we are going through and has a plan to deliver us?

God’s plan involved sending Moses. Ex. 3:10, “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people…out of Egypt.” Moses’ question - Who Am I?  If you have ever been used of God for a particular responsibility you have asked yourself, “Who Am I?” If not for the grace of God we could not be used. The Apostle Paul states in I Cor. 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Comforting words are given to Moses and to us.  Ex. 3:12, “...Certainly I will be with thee.” We can go on when we know that He is with us.  

Joshua also was given this assurance in Deut. 31:23, “...Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.” Josh. 1:5, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”  

We read in Isa. 41:8-13, “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth…I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded…they shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them…for I the Lord thy God will help thee.”  

Jesus to his disciples, Matt. 28:20, “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.” We close with these words in Romans 8:31, Apostle Paul writes, “What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?”

 The Encouraging Word

“But thou, when you pray enter into thy closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret; and thy Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.”

Matthew 14:23

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.” Psalm 118:29

“But God”… “But the Lord has become my high tower and defense, and my God, the rock of my refuge.” 

Psalm 94:22

“Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me.” Psalm 30:1

“And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

Martha Wainright