Fear Not – Praying Pint

42.h. “Let My People Go” – 10.e. Exodus – we’re trapped

Exodus 14:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him, and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

God Instructs the Israelites as to Their Journey.God commands the Israelites to encamp at Pi-hahiroth,

Pharaoh and his servants repent for letting the people go

Pharaoh pursues and overtakes the Israelites

The Israelites are afraid and murmur against Moses

Moses encourages the people with a promise of deliverance

God encouraging Moses, bids the people go forward

God defends the Israelites with a pillar of cloud

Egypt will know “I am God over all”

God led the people in such a way that it seemed as though they were wandering without purpose or lost or both. When this was communicated to Pharaoh both he and his servants hardened their hearts toward Israel and were filled with anger, purpose, revenge, and obviously no thoughts about the previous 10 plagues displayed by God. Pharaoh and all the Egyptians, with urgency, fueled by the report and their want to deliver revenge, immediately prepare and held out to do just that. I can imagine their thoughts; Their God destroyed all of our crops, killed our livestock, caused us to break out with boils and sores, frightened us with utter darkness, killed our firstborn both of human and livestock, and we willingly gave them all of our gold, silver, and jewels – Are we just going to let them go???? Shouldn’t they be required to pay severely for what their God has done to us? What can they do to us, they have no weapons and no means to fight against our greatness. The more these thoughts ruminated in their minds the more confident and committed they were to their purpose. They were of one mind to exact revenge and bring them back into slavery, at least those they allowed to live.

God led the Israelites on a path with no escape. They could go neither to the left nor the right and the Red Sea was before them and Pharaoh’s army closed in fast behind them. It would be encouraging to have heard that the Israelites stood firm in their faith and were not afraid, but this was not the case. Though they had seen the miracles, signs, and wonders that God had performed, not to mention the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night “God-Guiding” them in their escape, they immediately lost all hope. We are surely going to die. Why didn’t you listen to us before and let us remain servant slaves to the Egyptians? The Israelites witnessed what God had done with His All-Powerful hand and at the first sign of trouble were afraid, worried, discouraged, and hopeless.

We look back at this historical event and marvel at the lack of faith they had. I presume we even harbor thoughts that we would not have acted like this. We would have been strong and courageous trusting in God. When things are going in our favor and life is easy we certainly have a seemingly strong faith and convince ourselves that we are firm and steadfast. Let us not be fooled by these thoughts and think we are stronger than we think. Nothing tests the hearts and minds like that of trials, troubles, sickness, death, poverty, chaos, disasters, etc….. We associate a flat tire, broken appliance, lost internet connection, natural disaster, or any other inconvenience as a major trial that tests our faith. Oh great day, what foolishness is this? How shallow is our thinking to think that this is a faith-testing trial?

Would our faith build an ark for a rain promised to come in 100 years?

Would our faith place our firstborn son on an altar?

Would our faith place blood on our doorposts?

Would our faith part the Red Sea?

Would our faith heal the sick?

Would our faith stand strong being nailed to a cross?

Would our faith call down fire?

Would our faith believe in rain during a drought?

Would our faith stand firm in the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace?

Would our faith face a giant warrior with only a sling and a stone?

Would our faith face an army of thousands with only 300 men?

Would our faith walk around Jericho for 7 days?

Would our faith stand strong in any of these?

Listen carefully. Unless you are growing in your understanding of God’s grace, mercy, and love through an intentional commitment to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all you think, say, and do. With a soul-deep hunger and thirst for God’s Word to direct you in this purpose, you will not mature in faith, trust, or reliance.

Faith grows deep and wide when God’s grace, mercy, love, and holiness expose the sinfulness of our sins in our hearts. Oh, that you would see the importance and urgency for honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ more than the shallowness of faith that snares so many.

38.q. “God made him prosper”

Genesis 39:1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

Psalms 1:3  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Acts 7:9-10   “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him  and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

2 Chronicles 26:5   He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

Joseph’s ordeal was probably worse than any of us have gone through. Yet God did not abandon him, even in the smallest way. If God allowed Joseph to be a slave, then he would be a successful man, even as a slave. We often complain to God that He put us in a terrible or difficult place. Yet God’s will is that we trust Him to bless us and make us successful (as He measures success) wherever we are in life. Some people think they we can’t be blessed unless they are in authority, in charge of things. Jesus lived and taught a better way – a life as a servant. Even at this early point when it seemed Joseph had no control over circumstances – and indeed he had none – God overruled the evil or capricious choices of man to accomplish His eternal purpose. By his trust in God, diligent work, and blessing from God, Joseph showed Potiphar that God was real. Followers of Jesus should live out the same principle today; others should see the difference Jesus makes in our lives by the way we work. Think of the contrast between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was a slave, but free. The brothers were free, but slaves to secrets, lies, shame, and guilt. It would have been easy for Joseph to do what we so often do: think little of his present position because it seemed so bad (he was a slave, after all). But Joseph believed God could bless him right where he was, so he didn’t wait for a better situation to be blessed by God. Many think if advancement is from God, it must come quickly. Sometimes this is the case, but not normally. Normally, God allows good things to develop slowly. (Guzik)

Scripture says that we grow in our understanding of God, line by line, precept by precept, here a little, there a little. Should we think we will grow in our prosperity, wisdom, understanding, love, or abilities any differently? Too often we assess our blessings from God by worldly measures.

Keep your heart and mind focused on honoring and glorifying Him in all you think, say, and do. Blessings that pass all worldly understanding will flood your heart and mind.

34.f. “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Matthew 24:15 “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Daniel 10:12-14   Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.  The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,  and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

Hebrews 2:1    Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Revelation 1:3     Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 3:22    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Mark 13:20    And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.

Romans 11:25-31    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

For centuries, there was only a small Jewish presence in Judea and Jerusalem. Their presence in the region was definite, and continuous, but small. It was unthinkable that this weak Jewish presence could rebuild a temple. Therefore the fulfillment of this prophecy was highly unlikely until Israel was gathered again as a nation in 1948. The restoration of a nation that the world had not seen for some 2,000 years is a remarkable event in the fulfillment and future fulfillment of prophecy. Through the centuries, the most common interpretive approach to the predictions Jesus made in this chapter is to see them all or mostly all fulfilled in the great destruction that came upon Jerusalem and Judea in A.D. 70. This approach is attractive in some ways, especially in that it makes the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:34 easy to understand. Yet the approach that sees this chapter as all or mostly all fulfilled in A.D. 70 is completely inadequate in its supposed fulfillment of the abomination of desolation. In this approach, the abomination of desolation is almost always understood to be the Roman armies or the ensigns they carried. Yet when we understand the importance and what is said about this event – the abomination of desolation – we must give priority to this event, even more than the easiest interpretation. Taking these passages in their most plain meaning, the abomination of desolation cannot be the Roman armies or the ensigns they marched under; it cannot be totalitarian governments or any other conjecture. The abomination of desolation must be some kind of image of the Antichrist set in an actual temple, and is the decisive sign for the end. This means that for the most part, Jesus’ predictions in Matthew 24 have not been fulfilled; or at least that the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was a foreshadowing fulfillment, even as the desecration of the temple under Antiochus Epiphanies was a foreshadowing of the ultimate abomination of desolation. (Guzik)

The preceding verses foretold the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem, that is, the circumstances which were to be the forerunners and attendants of that great event: we now proceed to those verses which respect what happened during the siege, and after it. Never was a prophecy more punctually fulfilled: and it will tend to confirm our faith in the gospel to trace the particulars. Daniel’s expression is, The abomination that maketh desolate. By which term is intended the desolating Roman armies with their standards. To every legion was a golden eagle with expanded wings, grasping a thunderbolt. These eagles, with the standards of the cohorts, ten in each legion, were objects of worship among the Romans, and therefore were an abomination to the Jews. We learn from Josephus, that after the city was taken, the Romans brought their ensigns into the temple, and placed them over against the eastern gate, and there sacrificed to them. Let them flee as fast as they can from the fortified cities and populous towns into the wilderness, where they will be secure. This important advice the Christians remembered and wisely followed, and were preserved. It is remarkable, that after the Romans, under Cestius Gallus, made their first advance toward Jerusalem, they suddenly withdrew again, in a most unexpected and impolitic manner. “This conduct of the Roman general,” says Macknight, “so contrary to all the rules of prudence, was doubtless brought to pass by the providence of God, who interposed in this manner for the deliverance of the disciples of his Son.” For, at this juncture, the Christians, considering it as a signal to retire, left Jerusalem, and removed to Pella and other places beyond the river Jordan, so that they all marvellously escaped the general ruin of their country, and we do not read anywhere that so much as one of them perished. Of such signal service was this caution of our Lord to his followers! (Benson)

The meaning of this is, when you see the Roman armies standing in the holy city or encamped around the temple, or the Roman ensigns or standards in the temple. Josephus relates that when the city was taken, the Romans brought their idols into the temple, and placed them over the eastern gate, and sacrificed to them there. (Barnes)

Now our Lord observes, that when they should see the Roman armies encompassing Jerusalem, with their ensigns flying, and these abominations on them, they might conclude its desolation was near at hand; and he does not so much mean his apostles, who would be most of them dead, or in other countries, when this would come to pass; but any of his disciples and followers, or any persons whatever, by whom should be seen this desolating abomination. when therefore this that Daniel, under a spirit of prophecy, spoke of should be seen, standing in the holy place; near the walls, and round about the holy city Jerusalem, so called from the sanctuary and worship of God in it; and which, in process of time, stood in the midst of it, and in the holy temple, and destroyed both; then whoso readeth, let him understand: that is, whoever then reads the prophecy of Daniel; will easily understand the meaning of it, and will see and know for certain, that now it is accomplished; and will consider how to escape the desolating judgment, unless he is given up to a judicial blindness and hardness of heart; which was the case of the greater part of the nation. (Gill)

Among the many explanation; of this passage which have been offered, two only seem worthy of consideration. (1) The desolating abomination is referred to the Roman armies encamped around Jerusalem (Luke 21:20), of which the symbol was the legionaries’ eagles, regarded with reverence by the soldiers. But in opposition to this view it may be said, if the holy place, without the article, signifies the Holy Land, then the presence of the Latin forces would be no new sign to the Jewish people, as they had been familiar with such a sight for many years. If the temple itself is meant, it is plain that it would be too late to fly from that doomed city when the Roman eagles were already in the hallowed courts. (2) The alternative interpretation, which has seemed to many more probable, explains it of the sanguinary deeds of the Zealots, who, after the war had been carried on for some years, seized the temple, put a stop to the daily sacrifice, deluged the sacred courts with blood, and were guilty of most hideous crimes and excesses, which, as Josephus testifies, were the immediate cause of the city’s, ruin (see Josephus, ‘Bell. Jud.,’ 4:03, 7, etc.; 5:1, 2; 6:3; 5:9, 4; 6:2; and Wordsworth’s note on this ver. 15). The presence and acts of these ruffians were to be the signal for the escape of the Christians. I must confess that neither of these explanations satisfies me. (unknown)

I realize this has been a rather long read, but I want you to see the various thoughts/interpretations that have surfaced through the last 300 years. I do not claim to understand this fully as these who have historical reference and understanding. It is important to note that other than the first reference by (Guzik) the other bible scholars had not known of the 1948 event where the Jewish nation returned. I have to think these older scholars would have expounded greatly on this fact and it could explain some of the differences if not some of the confusion.

The key for me is “Let the reader understand”, for this verse and others like it, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” We will do well to read and listen for the enlightening guide of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we rightly divide the Word of Truth and are able to rightly apply it with a willing heart that seeks and desires to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do.

32.j. “Go and tell John what you hear and see”

Matthew 11:1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Psalms 146:8    the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

Isaiah 29:18    In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.

Isaiah 35:4-6    Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;  then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

Isaiah 42:6-7     “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,  to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Luke 7:21-22    In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.  And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.

To those seeking a revolution and overthrow of the Roman dominance, these acts of service Jesus did would seem small and insignificant. To those who were healed by His humble acts of service would surely conclude these acts much more significant and important than a revolution. Jesus wanted to assure both John and his disciples that He was the Messiah. But He also reminded them that His power would be displayed mostly in humble acts of service, meeting individual needs, and not in spectacular displays of political deliverance. It is truly in these acts of humble service we set our minds on honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ. How many preachers seek after bigger and bigger mega-churches, more and more recognition, more money, more radio stations, more media spotlights, more social media hits, etc….? It is in humble service we face each day and determine with an intentional choice to honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

It is in steadfast firmness we choose to day after day continue to do humble service in where and what God has purposed our life. We do well to stay in line with His plans and purpose and seek not to do more and certainly not do less.

31.z. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God”

Matthew 8:23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Matthew 6:30    But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Matthew 14:30-31     But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Matthew 16:8    But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?

Mark 4:40    He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Isaiah 41:10-14   fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jesus rebuked their fear and unbelief, not their request or waking Him. We shouldn’t think that Jesus was in a bad mood from being awakened. He was upset at their fear, because fear and unbelief go together. When we trust God as we should trust Him, there is little room left for fear.

“He does not chide them for disturbing him with their prayers, but for disturbing themselves with their fears.” (Henry)

They actually had many reasons to have faith, even great faith. They had just seen Jesus do significant miracles, showing great power and authority. They had seen an example of great faith with the centurion who trusted Jesus to heal his servant. They had Jesus with them in the boat. And, they saw Jesus sleep; His peace should have given them peace.

When faith is only strongest in the calm winds of life and fails in the stormy winds of life, what good does it do for that person? What example does it set for those who see your faith failing in the stormy winds of life? What does is say about that person’s faith? I think our faith grows as we:

Spend time in God’s Word and we meditate on it
Grow in our understanding, knowledge, and wisdom of God
Desire and seek with all our hearts, minds, and souls to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do.
Desire and seek to be led and allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit
Not only know, but Believe that God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing
Believe that all things work together for good of those who are His believers, followers, trusters, obeyers

Oh God, help not my belief but my unbelief.

27.j. “I will strengthen you, I will help you”

Ephesians 3:16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Psalms 28:8   The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

Psalms 138:3   On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.

2 Timothy 4:17    But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me,

Isaiah 41:10     fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ephesians 6:10    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

The Lord is my strength, I will strengthen you, my strength of soul, strengthened with power, all speak of leaning on, accepting, and allowing God’s Strength in our lives. If you have ever raised children or been around young children and you have seen them struggling with something, you offer or try to help and they say No I can do this myself, or I want to do this by myself. Even as adults we have all offered to help someone with a problem and they turn you down or flat out reject the offer of help. If we are honest, I think we all have done this. Sometimes we just need to work through the problem, find the solution, and get on the other side of it. But do we? We may know the person who wants to help us routinely takes shortcuts and their workmanship is not quite the same as ours. We may know that they will hold it over our heads if we allow them to help. We may know they will tell others of our lack of ability in an area they helped us in. We may just have a bit of pride in us that says, “I can do this”, “I know how”, “I got it”, “I am smart enough”, “I am wise enough”, “I am strong enough”, “I am………”. Whatever the reason we seem to turn away help. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when we should turn from someone’s help.

Do you ever think about how many times we reject God’s power, strength, might, wisdom, knowledge, love, peace, grace, mercy, refuge, fortress, shelter, shepherd, savior, redeemer, Heavenly Father,………? He not only is willing and able, He also promises to be all of these in our lives. Year by year, month by month, week by week, day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, He offers us all of these and we turn away, stiffen our necks, harden our hearts, deafen our ears, and close our hearts and minds to His continued offers. Why is this? I fear it is because we do not live for God. By this I mean where we do not develop hunger and thirst for His Word, desire and seek His continued presence, have no want to understand and know more of Him, and do not know want it means to honor and glorify Him in all we say think and do. The shallowness of our commitments toward all of this most certainly will keep us from knowing about His grace, mercy, love, and promises. We will not see our need for help and thereby we won’t ask for it. We can start by intentionally choosing to live to honor and glorify Him in all we say and do. We can start by thinking less about self, self-interests, and the busyness of life. We can start by repenting from our shallowness. We can start right now.

27.g. “I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Jeremiah 20:11 But the Lord is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten.

Isaiah 45:16   All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together.

Jeremiah 1:19   They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

Jeremiah 15:20     And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.

Deuteronomy 32:35-36    Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’  For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.

Psalms 65:5    By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 1:8   Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD.”

God’s might and awesome power are greater than our pain, humiliation, rejection, fears, loneliness, and worries. When our heart cries out in humble surrender and all self-reliance is thrown by the wayside, God becomes bigger and our misery becomes smaller. Somehow when we do this we are transformed in our heart and become content to leave the matter to God and His awesome power and might and wisdom and strength.

Learning contentment seems easy for some and much harder for others. When I think about this I come to the conclusion it is a matter of the heart. When self-reliance is cast aside and the heart is trusting in God’s perfect loving and awesome strength there is a contentment that passes all human understanding. It is in God’s hands, my Heavenly Father. Not only is He able to handle what I have yielded/placed into His hands, but He will also carry me through all the pain, confusion, rejection, fear, loneliness, and worry. He will deliver me. I am His child. I can fully trust in Him no matter the outcome because He is God.

16.n. Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Proverbs 8:22-30    “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.  Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.  When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.  Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,  before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.  When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,  when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,  when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,  then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

Colossians 1:17    And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:10-12     And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;  they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment,  like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

Hebrews 13:8    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Revelation 1:17-18    When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,  and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

John 17:24    Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

Before Abraham was, I AM: With this dramatic phrase Jesus told them that He was the eternal God, existing not only during the time of Abraham but before unto eternity past. We think of Jesus Christ as our redeemer and savior. We trust in God’s Word that says He sent His Son into the world to redeem the lost and whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Do you ever give thought to where He came from? It may give you a greater appreciation for His love for you. Before the beginning and before creation and before heavenily hosts, earth, and living plants and creatures Jesus Christ was. He existed in eternity. He is Holy, Pure, and True. He willingly came to earth, taking on the form of man, healed the sick, blind, deaf, lame, paralyzed, dead, proclaimed the day of salvation, suffered, died, and rose again all for the single purpose – to redeem the lost and give hope to the perishing. Think about the grace, mercy, and love He displayed for you. For certain you did not deserve this gift of eternal life but in and through His power, might, and love He came and bore your sins so that you might have eternal life.

When things around you are falling apart and there seems to be no reason for you to rejoice and give praise to Jesus Christ, remember who it is that gave His life just for you so that all who believe will have eternal life with Him forevermore.

16.k. “Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not”

Psalms 139:13  For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Job 10:9-12     Remember that you have made me like clay; and will you return me to the dust?  Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese?  You clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.  You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit.

Psalms 71:6    Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

Job 31:15     Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

Isaiah 44:2    Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not,

Jeremiah 1:5     “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 46:3    “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb;

The intelligent design movement suggests that the existence of an orderly, purposeful creation implies the necessity of an organized, purposeful design, and, therefore, a Designer. Applying that idea to human beings, the presence of humans with the ability to find and fulfill a purpose in their life suggests a Creator who created them with a purpose to fulfill. There are certainly plenty of biblical examples: Abraham was called to create a chosen people; Moses was called to shape that people into a nation; Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to the nation; David was called to be their king; Jesus was called to redeem Jews and Gentiles alike from sin; Paul was called to deliver Jesus’ Good News to Gentiles and their kings…to cite a few examples. Psalm 139:13-16 pictures God forming humans and ordaining the days of their lives. If you are seeking God’s specific purpose for your life, ask Him to show it to you. And ask in faith, believing He will shine light on your path. True purpose in life can only be found in a life that is fully surrendered to Jesus Christ and the will of God.

14.d. “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.”

Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Exodus 3:14-15   God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”  God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

Isaiah 41:13     For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 43:11-12    I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.  I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God.

Jeremiah 32:27    “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Numbers 23:19    God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

1 Samuel 15:29    And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”

Isaiah 40:28-31     Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Have you ever changed your mind? Surely everyone has. What was it that you were so set on and then something changed your mind about the way you thought about it? More than likely you heard or read some new information that got you to think about your position or stance. Think about how many times you made up your mind about something based on the information you were told or read and thought was the truth. Based on this you formed an opinion and took a stance. Sometime later you found out the information you based your stance on was false. During the time between these two information time points, you have strengthened your stance and opinion and bias. It is hard once these opinions and biases are formed to get you to change your mind. Confusion, frustration, worry, fear, and anxiousness are all commonplace when lies are portrayed as truth. It seems as though we are living in a time of lies, half-truths, and truths. When God is defied and denied people’s hearts will see nothing wrong with leading people in lies and half-truths. When God is defied and denied people’s hearts will easily be misled.

God is “I AM”. He is not limited in any way. He is the truth. He can not lie. He is all-powerful. He is all-knowing. He knows the hearts and minds of mankind. He knows the thoughts all mankind has. He knows the intent of each person’s thoughts and actions. There is nothing hidden from Him. He knows the beginning from the end. He is the Alpha and Omega. There are no lies spoken or thoughts by mankind that can fool God. God is all truth, all-power, all-knowing, almighty, and always present. He promises in either blessing or wrath will surely happen as the sun rises and sets each day. Though a person may change for good or bad, God never changes.