Daily Bread_June 3, 2014

Title: Two Promises of God You Can Depend Upon in Time of Trouble

Text:

Isaiah 43:1-2 (NKJV)
¹ But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

Observation:

We can learn much from the Old Testament about how God treated His people then, and how He treats His people today. We can draw encouragement from passages like the one above.

Romans 15:4 (HCSB)
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

I find two things from the text that should give us hope and encouragement. First, God knows our name; He knew His people of old, and He knows His people today.

2 Timothy 2:19 (HCSB)
Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness.

Second, we know that God does not want His people to fear; not then, and not now. Let this Word give you hope, encouragement, and peace.

Isaiah 43:5 (HCSB)
Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west.

Romans 8:15 (HCSB)
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, Abba, Father, I am so grateful for the close relationship that You have with Your people. Father God, because of the promises of Your Word I can live with the blessed assurance that You are with Your people when we pass through the waters, and when we walk through the fire.

Father God, as long as I live and trouble rise, I will hasten to Your throne of grace. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/723#ixzz33ZXFXN00

--

Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
⁴ But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/