Tag: Salvation

33.b. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you”

 

Job 34:29  When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?

 2 Samuel 7:1   Now when the king lived in his house and the LORD had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies,

 Isaiah 26:3  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

 Isaiah 32:17   And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

 John 14:27     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

 Romans 8:31    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 Philippians 4:7   And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 2 Kings 18:12    because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed.

 Psalms 13:1    How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

 Psalms 27:9   Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!

 Psalms 30:7    By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

 Psalms 143:7   Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.

When God purposes to give rest, comfort, ease, or prosperity in any way to man, it is that soul that finds a quietness within their soul and there is nothing or no one that can take it away, though other men or Satan himself hard as they may try. God is in control of all things and He can bring peace or adversity upon a person or nation at His own pleasure. 

We may chase after worldly and fleshly things that we think will give us peace and quietness to our soul but in the end, they leave us unsatisfied and wanting. People write about how they have found peace and prosperity in a host of diverse ways and people who are searching for this peace and prosperity flock to them like bees to honey. They are ever searching and never finding that which only God can give and that which can only be found in humble service to Him. Oh, people may have temporary peace and prosperity in their life, but lasting contentment it is not.  

A believer should continually give thought to blessings from God and should know when it is that God has turned His face from them. The problem is that too many give no thought to either. They plod along in life as if there is no God and things happen by chance or fate. When a person does not acknowledge God or His control over all creation, how are they to find peace and quietness for their soul? 

God has all things under his control, and he can bring prosperity or adversity upon an individual or a nation at his own pleasure. Who then can make trouble? – literally, “Who can condemn, or hold guilty”. The sense is, that no one can overwhelm him with the consciousness of guilt, to whom God intends to give the peace resulting from his favor and friendship. Or, no one can bring calamities upon a man “as if” he were guilty, or so as to “show” that he is guilty, when God intends to treat him as if he were not. This is as true and sure as the sun rising and setting. When God designs to give peace to a man’s soul, and to impart to him the evidence that his sins are forgiven, there is no one who can excite in his mind the conviction of guilt, or take away the comfort that God gives. When he designs to “treat” a man as if he were his friend, and to impart to him such evidences of his favor as shall convince the world that he is his friend, there is no one who can prevent it. (Barnes)

If we are to find this peace and quietness of our souls, it is only in and through God. When a soul purposefully surrenders to humbly serving, following, trusting, obeying, and relying on Jesus Christ the peace of God that passes all understanding is theirs.

31.o. “Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life”

 

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

 Proverbs 23:9   Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

 Hebrews 10:29    How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

 Hebrews 10:29    How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

 Acts 13:46-47  And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.  For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

In the previous 1-5 vs Jesus talks of being self-righteously judgmental and not being able to assess one’s self with the same judgmental awareness. Here Jesus is reminding us that we are not to suspend all discernment. It seems as though we should be able to discern those who have hardened their rejection of the good news of Jesus Christ. The person who is Holy Spirit led and is living in all things of their life speaking, doing, and thinking so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified will know when not to speak of the precious things the kingdom of God. This type of discernment comes when our heart, mind, and soul are desiring to show grace, mercy, and love to others so that Jesus Christ is honored and glorified. It is not with a judgmental heart or mind. Yet, it is with this same Holy Spirit heart and mind that leads us to discern people who will trample underfoot godly pearls from the Word of God. 

The Gospel was preached and taught by the disciples to the Jews who were hardened in their hearts and spoke evil of Jesus Christ. They would not reason or discuss the prophecies and fulfillment. They denied Christ was the Son of God. They rejected Jesus in person and in His death and in His resurrection. Paul left them and went to the Gentiles. He no longer would cast the pearls of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those hardened against it. 

In our own abilities, we are not able to make discernments that only the Holy Spirit can lead us in. We would do well to seek to continually be filled with the Holy Spirit with a desire to be led in all wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and discernment. In this way, our hearts and minds will not be temped with worldly or self-led judgment. The light of Jesus Christ shines bright in the lives of those who show discernment throughout all aspects of their lives for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. 

I can’t help but think about when I was once one of those who rejected and trampled underfoot things of God. I wonder how many times people were talking with me but the Holy Spirit kept them from speaking about salvation because I was set firmly in my own ways and would have nothing to do with things of God. How many times??? It is hard to tell, it could be 5 times or 10,000 times but this I know, God did not leave me in my hell-bound ways. He brought me to a place in my life where I was ready and He placed people in my life, right at that time, that spoke the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  All I can say is that we need to have discernment when to speak and when not to speak.  When the Holy Spirit leads us to speak we need to speak boldly and when the Holy Spirit leads us to be quiet we need to be quiet.  

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.

30.o. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”

 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

 1 Peter 1:7   so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 Psalms 42:11   Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

 Hebrews 6:12    so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:18   we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul

There is so much misunderstanding in the Christian world today about what faith is. Most people think faith is believing that God will do what they want Him to do. They think, “If I can just believe intently enough, then I will get that promotion, or God will heal my sickness, or He will save my marriage.” “Faith extends beyond what we learn from our senses, and the author is saying that it has its reasons. Its tests are not those of the senses, which yield uncertainty.” Faith has its reasons. The Bible doesn’t recommend a “blind leap” of faith. But the reasons can’t be measured in a laboratory; they have to be understood spiritually. Faith does not contradict reason, though it may go beyond reason. One may objectively prove the Bible is the most unique book ever published and has impacted society more than any other book. But only faith can prove that the Bible is the Word of God. Therefore, this is a belief beyond reason but not in contradiction to reason or against reason. Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on, and to cling to. By faith we can wait on God for His perfect purpose in our lives. By faith we can surrender our requests before God and allow His will to be done. By faith we have assurance that God is in control and He exceeds our imagination in power, might, love, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. By faith we should want what God wants.  By faith we have reason for hope. By faith we live so that all we say, think, and do honors and glorifies Jesus Christ. Surely God is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  By faith we find a peace and rest that passes all understanding.

29.x. “For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him”

 

Matthew 2:1  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

 Zechariah 9:9    Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

 Luke 2:11    For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

I read “wise men from the east came to worship him”, “for we saw his star”, and I wonder how long these wise men were looking for the “Star” that pointed to the birth of Christ. We don’t know much about them or how it came about that they were looking for the birth of the king of the Jews. We do know that they believed there was to be born a King of the Jews and that it would be confirmed by a special star indicating both his birth and the place of his birth. The fact they were aware of such an event and believed it and recognized it and then out of an act of faith went to worship Him should not be lost on our reading of this passage.  We are told Christ will return and we are to be ready.  These wise men were ready and expectantly looking with belief that it would happen. They did not have a day or time given to them on when it would happen, but they did have knowledge of what sign there would be when it did and they were ready. We don’t know the day or time of Christ’s return but scripture gives us signs to indicate His return is soon approaching. “But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

Christ’s return should not find us unaware, not looking, not expecting, or not prepared. When our heart, mind, and soul’s deepest desire is to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we say, think, and do, it is then we will have expectation and longing for his return – a form of worship birthed out of faith and lives lived with an intentional expectant purpose and meaning.

29.f. ” See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit”

 

Colossians 2:2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

 Romans 11:33    Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

 2 Timothy 3:15-17   and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 1 Corinthians 2:6-7   Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.  But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.

 Matthew 10:26   “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

 Ephesians 3:9    and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

 Colossians 2:8   See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11   The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

For Paul, real riches were found in the believer’s full assurance. Many lack full assurance about the character of God and are unconvinced that He is really good and loving. Others lack full assurance of their salvation and wonder if their Christian life is for real. Great freedom and confidence comes when we come to this full assurance.  “You will only find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Jesus. He has them all.” It’s not wrong to seek after wisdom and knowledge; but we must seek it all in Jesus. Real wisdom is not hidden in secret books, but deposited in Jesus Christ so that all can access it. When Paul describes the truth of God with words like riches and treasures, he reminds us that God’s truth is precious and worthy of sacrificial seeking. (Guzik) 

It might sound simple, but deceivers are deceivers. They won’t announce their false doctrine as false doctrine, and it will often be similar enough to the truth to be dangerous. Combining The Word of God with worldly knowledge and wisdom will never end well.  Dilution of God’s Word will never lead us into deeper understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.  On the contrary, it will confuse, weaken, and leave us unsatisfied.  We never obtain complete wisdom, knowledge, and understanding but we certainly will grow and mature in it for our entire lives.  Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, we will mature if we are diligent in our intentional choice to humbly seek, surrender, obey, follow, trust, and rely on and in Jesus Christ, the mystery of God to man.

28.x. “For all the nations of the world seek after these things”

 

Philippians 4:19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

 2 Samuel 22:7   “In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.

 Micah 7:7  But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

 Deuteronomy 8:3-4   And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

 Psalms 112:5-9   It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.  For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.  He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.  He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.

 Luke 12:30-33  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

 1 Timothy 6:17   As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

What we want and what we need are two separate thoughts. What we want can turn us toward what we need, or it can keep us away from what we need. If we want (desire, hope for, set one’s heart on, long for, crave, cry out for) redemption, salvation, forgiveness, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge of God’s mercy, grace, and love in Jesus Christ, our want is in line with what we need.  It is in this ever-growing and continually growing want that our need is fulfilled. Our lives become a light in the darkness.  Our thoughts, words, and actions repeatedly honor and glorify Jesus Christ.

If however, we want (desire, hope for, set one’s heart on, long for, crave, cry out for) things of this world our wants will not give us what we need.  These wants will lead us down paths of loneliness, selfishness, self-reliance, self-worth, proud, greedy, fear, anger, coveting, anxiousness, and confusion. We end up chasing after and wanting satisfaction and find neither. 

I think we get confused on wants and needs. The world will try to tell us what we need and if we acquire what it offers we will find our needs fulfilled.  It is a lie. What this world has to offer will never fill the void in our hearts and minds that only God can fill. Can you imagine what our lives would be like if we would truly wanted to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do? 

28.h. “Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”

 

Philippians 2:12  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

 Isaiah 66:2   All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

 Hebrews 4:1  Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

 Hebrews 12:28-29   Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,  for our God is a consuming fire

 Romans 13:11-14    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

We know that Paul did not mean “work so as to earn your own salvation.” Such a statement would contradict the whole of Paul’s gospel. What Paul did mean is to call the Philippians to put forth real effort into their Christian lives. This is not to work their salvation in the sense of accomplishing it, but to work out their salvation – to see it evident in every area of their lives, to activate this salvation God freely gave them. (Guzik)

“Some professors appear to have imbibed the notion that the grace of God is a kind of opium with which men may drug themselves into slumber, and their passion for strong doses of sleepy doctrine grows with that which it feeds on. ‘God works in us,’ say they, ‘therefore there is nothing for us to do.’ Bad reasoning, false conclusion. God works, says the text; therefore we must work out because God works in.” (Spurgeon)

Paul said our salvation is not by works lest any man should boast.  James said faith without works is useless. Working out our salvation means there is a demonstration of our faith by the works we do, what we say, what we think.  We do this out of reverence and awe and for the singular purpose of honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ.  Read again what Spurgeon penned above.  It is sad we find little to no need for continued growth in our faith, knowledge, understanding, in Jesus Christ.  We sit idly by day after day with no growth and no desire to grow. Examine your thoughts, words, and actions over the last 24 hours and try to determine how much of your time was “working”, with mindful attention and purpose, to honor and glorify Jesus Christ.  Until we dim the bright lights of what this world has to offer and intentionally choose to keep our focus on honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ, our works, or the lack thereof, will do nothing of eternal value.

28.e. “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless”

Ephesians 6:11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

 Romans 13:14    But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

 Romans 13:12    The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

 1 Thessalonians 5:8    But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

 1 Corinthians 10:13   No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

 Jude 1:24    Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,

 2 Corinthians 2:11   so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 1 Peter 5:8    Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

“The tactics of intimidation and insinuation alternate in Satan’s plan of campaign. He plays both the bully and the beguiler. Force and fraud form his chief offensive against the camp of the saints.” (Simpson) Equipped with God’s armor we are more than conquerors. (Guzik) How aware are we of spiritual battles, attacks from Satan, lies from Satan, deception from Satan, and temptations from Satan?  If we are not aware how will we arm ourselves against the battle for our soul?  Too often we lack discernment.  Too often we lack Godly wisdom and understanding.  Too often we are blind and deaf to the battle for our soul.  Too often we even try to battle in our own strength and power.  We don’t stand a chance. How many times have we asked our children, What were you thinking??????  99 times out of 100 we hear, I don’t know.  

God tells us of His power and might and strength.  There is none like Him, He is the creator.  He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. In Him is all truth. He knows all about Satan’s lies, deceptions, and influences.  God warns us about Satan. God empowers us, if we avail ourselves to it, for the battle(s) we will face.  He says “Arm yourselves”, “Put on the whole armor”, “I will be your rock, refuge, strength, power, might, and shield against the fiery attacks of Satan”, “I will never leave you or forsake you”, “I will not let you be tempted beyond what you can overcome”, “I am with you always”.  And yet, we don’t acknowledge Him or avail ourselves to Him or rely on, trust in, or cling to Him.  We go about our days without giving thought to spiritual battles.  Is it possible that Satan doesn’t even need to bother attacking us because there is little to no spiritual activity in our lives?  Can we not see the times we are living in?  Can we not see and understand the influence Satan is having on people across our nation?  Oh, that God would open our eyes to see and our ears to hear all that is false, cunning, and deceiving in our country.  Oh, that God would awaken our soul to the battle before us and cause us to bow before Him as willing servants for this battle.

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.