The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 1:20-23 (ESV)
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 4:6-8 (HCSB)
6 Many are saying, "Who can show us anything good?" Look on us with favor, LORD.
7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)
5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
My observation:
Today is the third in a series of five devotionals in which I reflect upon five reasons why we should have nothing to fear in the New Year.
Let's review the first two:
1. The Contentment of His Provisions.
2. The Companionship of His Presence.
Today's topic is "The Confidence of His Promises". Our text for this meditation is a portion of our focal verse from Hebrews 13:5. These four words are the sweetest and most reassuring words that a child of God could ever hear spoken of about our Savior, "He Himself has said".
I read a passage recently that reinforced this truth for me. As I recalled it this morning I explored it further, and here is what I found that blessed my soul.
John 16:20 (ESV)
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.
The death of Jesus resulted in sorrow in the heart of the followers of Christ. However, that sorrow was only for the night because joy came in the morning. What made the difference was another promise of Jesus to his disciples.
John 16:13 (ESV)
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Now, let's look at how the disciples looked at the death of Jesus after the office work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. What you see here is joy without any sorrow.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (ESV)
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful and comforted by the promises of God. Father, I am acutely aware that life is hard down here, but I also know that life is a journey and not a destination. I may have sorrow today, but there is joy coming in my future. I am so glad that weeping only last for a night, but that joy comes in the morning. Father, I thank you that if Jesus says it, then that settles it. Praise the Lord!
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1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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