God’s Assurance

June 5th, 2014 by Dave Leave a reply »

He Himself has said . . . . So we may boldly say . . . —Hebrews 13:5-6

My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I “may boldly say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). In other words, I will not be obsessed with apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s words of assurance. I will be full of courage, like a child who strives to reach the standard his father has set for him. The faith of many people begins to falter when apprehensions enter their thinking, and they forget the meaning of God’s assurance— they forget to take a deep spiritual breath. The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us.

What are you fearing? Whatever it may be, you are not a coward about it— you are determined to face it, yet you still have a feeling of fear. When it seems that there is nothing and no one to help you, say to yourself, “But ’The Lord is my helper’ this very moment, even in my present circumstance.” Are you learning to listen to God before you speak, or are you saying things and then trying to make God’s Word fit what you have said? Take hold of the Father’s assurance, and then say with strong courage, “I will not fear.” It does not matter what evil or wrong may be in our way, because “He Himself has said, ’I will never leave you . . . .’ ”

Human frailty is another thing that gets between God’s words of assurance and our own words and thoughts. When we realize how feeble we are in facing difficulties, the difficulties become like giants, we become like grasshoppers, and God seems to be nonexistent. But remember God’s assurance to us— “I will never. . . forsake you.” Have we learned to sing after hearing God’s keynote? Are we continually filled with enough courage to say, “The Lord is my helper,” or are we yielding to fear?

Journal DJR

Good morning Lord,
This lesson is right down to the practical aspects of where I live. It was stressful like this right before I came here to meet you and JD this morning … and as I begin to think about what’s next, I can see that it can be more of the same. With me trying to solve my problems and stressing out about it. I get it (in my head) that you will never leave me or forsake me. But I’m like that guy who said, ” Lord, I believe, Help my unbelief”

That was a pretty good prayer. Acknowledged his shortcomings and continued coming to the source. Also remember yesterday’s message and the last few days. I will even dwell in your common sense as you keep coming to me.

What about when I pray for an answer and it looks like it doesn’t come or it sure is the opposite of what I prayed for?

You will have stress if you specify what your answer is to look like. The verse said I would not leave you or forsake you. It didn’t say I would deliver up all your requests in the time frame and exact manner that you expected. Realize that I have not left you or forsaken you … even if it seems your prayer didn’t get answered. Hang on to that. Meet me there. And as you stay connected and curious and expectant, you will feel your stress drain away.

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