Standing Firm On God’s Promises

Psalm 84:11: “No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

The beauty of being covered by the blood of Christ is that once born of His Spirit, we begin to see the world in a whole new way, we begin to perceive things differently. And with this new set of eyes, our value systems begin to change, and our everyday walk begins to change it’s shape. Suddenly the things that used to be pleasurable and fun, the negative things, just don’t seem to be fun anymore. We value the things that God values. And when we begin to live this way, our lives become truly blessed, for God rewards those who seek after Him.

In the Jewish culture, this weekend marks the beginning of a brand New Year. Let us all put on a brand new attitude, one of faith and confidence in the promises of God! Let us remember that our God is a faithful God, who seeks to reward those who love Him above all things. Let us remember that all things work out for good for those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).

We are all called to fulfill some purpose while here on earth, and every facet of our lives is part of that kingdom building work! Remember that God always finishes what He started, and be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Phillipians 1:6). And let us always remember that when we seek after the things that are of God– when we focus on His plans for us instead of our plans for us; when we allow Him to have control over our lives and our destinies, He promises to fulfill the desires of our hearts. (Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.)

My friends, the promises of God are sure and they are true. When we make His Word the foundation of our hope and our happiness, when we are standing securely in His Word, then no downturned economy, criminal background, chemical addiction, bad relationship or any other ghost of our past can take us out of the game! Because God’s promises are sure and strong, and they will sustain you even in the roughest times. When I think back over my life in the past ten years, I am grateful that I finally came to understand who God is and how truly powerful He is, and I see now that had I not been standing on His promises specifically in the past three years of my life, I would surely have given up. But when your source of hope comes from God, then there is always hope. And when God is your source of love, then there is always love. And love never fails. God will never fail you. He will never leave you, nor will He forsake you (Joshua 1:5). Remember that above anything else, He loves you so much , that he sent His Son to die in your place so that you can be free to live the life you have today (John 3:16) Jesus entered this world to take on the burden of our sins and the penalty of our sinfulness so that we could share His perfection.

Today, if our hearts are aligned with God, our walk is considered blameless, for there is no condemnation for us because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. He gave his life so that we might truly live. Go boldly knowing that God rewards those who seek after Him. Declare your faith by speaking positive words over yourself, your loved ones, your situations and circumstances.

The Object Of His Affection

For the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance…he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions.” (Deuteronomy 32:9-11)

Moses gathered the people before they entered the Promised Land, and reminded them of who God was. Their God, El Shaddai, the Self-Sufficient one, had rescued them, fed them, sheltered them, and loved them, even as He had loved their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Their God, Yahweh, had proven to them over and over that He was The Faithful One. The One who created the universe and all that is in it had bent down to touch their faces, several times; He’d heard their cries and wiped their tears. Moses gathered the people to remind them of just how special they were to God’s heart. They, like us, were the apple of God’s eye.

Imagine what this world would be like if everyone understood just how important we are to God; that in His eyes, we are all, individually, most loved and cared for? My friend, we are not just happen-stances of creation. We were created for a purpose. And in that purpose, God loves us dearly. God’s Word tells us that not even a sparrow, whose life is worth less than a penny falls from the heavens without God knowing. How much more so is our life worth to Him who created it all? Even the hairs on your head are all numbered! (Paraphrased, Matthew 10: 29-30)

          My encouragement to you is to stand firm in the knowledge that God loves you above all. When life seems to be getting you down and things just don’t seem to be working out, know above all that YOU ARE THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE. He would never lead you to harm, or leave you undone. Things might seem to be going slowly, or not going your way at all, but always remember:

He is the God that rescued His people out of years of bondage and led them into the Promised Land.

He is the God who sent His only begotten Son to bear the weight of your sins on the Cross so that you can be in communion with Him.

He is the God who has extended His arm repeatedly over the course of your life to save you and to keep you out of harms way.

He’s heard your cry, He knows your pain, and He has always provided exactly what you need, when you need it.

God loves you dearly. You, my friend, are THE OBJECT OF HIS AFFECTION.

 

When we understand exactly how intimately God loves us, our actions and reactions to life circumstances begin to change. We are no longer depressed and discouraged about the state of affairs. Our outlook becomes hopeful and peaceful as we press on to the victory that lies ahead.