Tag: false hope for salvation

30. r. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”

 

Matthew 5:5  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

 Psalms 25:9   He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

 Isaiah 29:19    The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

 Psalms 149:4    For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

 1 Peter 3:4    but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

 Psalms 69:32   When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

 Psalms 37:11    But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

 Colossians 3:12   Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

In the vocabulary of the ancient Greek language, the meek person was not passive or easily pushed around. The main idea behind the word “meek” was strength under control, like a strong stallion that was trained to do the job instead of running wild. To be meek means to be willing to submit and control self-worth, pride, anger in a quiet, patient, long-suffering, gentle, peaceful, and humble way. It would be nearly  impossible for a person to purposefully be meek for the purpose of being meek. Being meek does not mean being passive or easily pushed around. It is more like a totally strong and capable, but who submits to be meek. He is trained to be meek instead of allowing hate, anger, and pride to rule his actions. It is more than personal restraint of the use of physical power, might, and strength or mental reasoning, knowledge, and wisdom. There is a deeper purpose, driver, and reason behind this meekness. It is more like the reason for being meek is so over-powering that these other displays of emotion and action are not even a thought. This is the life of those who have a soul deep desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. This ever growing desire permeates deeper and deeper into the heart, soul, and mind. It is displayed in those who want to grow in the knowledge and understanding of the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ. There is godly strength in meekness. The normal worldly and fleshly reactions and thoughts, over time, do not even surface anymore. The over powering love to honor and glorify Jesus Christ smothers these desires. Oh, that we were so desiring and wanted to grow in meekness, gentleness, kindness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love.

94. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

1 Samuel 2:9   “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.

Psalms 37:23    The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way;  though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.

Proverbs 16:9     The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Psalms 91:11-12     For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.  On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Psalms 33:16-17     The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.  The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.

Psalms 37:28     For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

We can see God’s hand moving in our lives when we stay in His word and the Spirit of God opens our hearts and minds to the truth of His Word. We can see God’s hand in His blessings, including that of sorrow and fiery trials. Ultimately, we can see God’s hand moving most clearly when we see His Son, Jesus Christ, who has been revealed to those who love God.

It is never by our strength that we overcome but by God’s hand in our life.  We can choose to yield to, trust in, cling to and rely on Jesus.  In Him, we will find refuge, peace, and rest in whatever trials and troubles come our way.  In Him, we have hope and faith in His awesome grace, mercy, and love.  In Him alone will we find purpose.  In Him alone, we are able to face each day no matter what comes our way.

Here are a couple of verses from the hymn, How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord;

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed, for I am your God, and will still give you aid; I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow, for I will be with you in trouble to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress. When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace all-sufficient shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine. The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose I will not, I will not desert to its foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no never forsake!”