When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. Deuteronomy 20:1 Believers today are far too easily impressed and far too easily bullied by the things of the world. We imagine our troubles insurmountable. We wring our hands over the expulsion of Christians in Mosul in Iraq. We cringe at the war games that Vladimir Putin plays. We cry Foul! when we are persecuted and we demand by petition for the world to stop it! We cower in the darkness of despair when the storms of life rage. Believers are not at the mercy of an antagonistic world. Believers in Jesus Christ are not helpless vessels tossed to and fro by every circumstance. Believers are securely anchored in Jesus Christ--His love, His goodness, His sovereignty, His purpose, His grace, His mercies, His kindness, His power, His joy, His kingship--if we will open our eyes to recognize Him and let our hearts rest in Him. The LORD knew that Israel could be intimidated by their enemies powerful armies. But He had already told them, When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations... nations larger and stronger than you—and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you... Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you (Deuteronomy 7:1, 2, 21, 22). Young David understood that to be on Gods side was all one needed to face the fully armored, heavily armed Philistine giant. David said to the Philistine, You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45). Davids willingness to face the giant was not based on his superior strength but on his confidence in the covenant, the promise, that God had made with Israel. Our relief and salvation do not come from the world all of a sudden falling in love with Christians. Nor the storms of life abating. So long as we live in this fallen world storms will threaten and batter us. The world will only grow in its hatred of the followers of Christ. Our relief and salvation come from standing securely on Jesus Christ. He already told us, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Take heart. No matter what you face, no matter what the world does, no matter the circumstance, believers are safe and secure in Christ. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s (1 Samuel 17:47).
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:54:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015