IS GOD FOR US OR AGAINST US?
All of us at some time or another question if the Lord is really listening to you? Does He actually care that I am going thru this ordeal? And we think in our heart, does He really care or have I done something and He has pulled away from me. Be honest now we have had these thoughts and then maybe you feel guilty for thinking those thoughts. Maybe your thoughts became the best of you and then your emotions go haywire and now you burst out loud speaking things that you thought you wouldn’t dare say otherwise in another time or place.
Perhaps this isn’t the first time you have encountered a set back and felt that you didn’t have a way to figure your way out of the present issue and it seems overwhelming and you turn to God and pray, beg, and promise all sorts of things to get out of this perceived demise.
Well, I have great news for you, He is for you and not only that, but in a most beneficial way to say the least.
Those words are His—found in abundance in His Holy Word. His word states the same in a most clear way and the word of God goes on and on as to how much He loves you.Let’s look at some scriptures and you will see He is totally supportive and so fully committed to us that there is no mistaking His intent that we firmly grasp the idea. The reason? Because doubts and fears too easily and constantly beset us.
You can bet on it that the enemy, Satan and his cohorts can bring on doubt and unbelief, in an all out effort to discourage you and cause you to doubt God himself and His marvelous word. Will God's hand reach my way...to cover me—in time? But His Word answers these questions for us. When we cry out, "What shall we say to these things?" His Word thunders in response: "If God be for us, who can be against us!" (Romans 8:31).
When can we expect God to help us and when? Review the following potential circumstances:
Like when we are going through hard times:
"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. For I am the Lord your God...Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you..." (Isaiah 43:2-4) Did you notice His word in this scripture “precious” that’s how He sees you.
“He is for us when we feel others have forgotten or forsaken us.”
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands..." (Isaiah 49:15-16) Again, notice the personal touch in this scripture, you are inscribed on the palms of my hands… I will not forget you….
I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread... (Psalm 37:25)
For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
What about times of health conditions and the need for funds and overhead?
"I am the Lord who heals you..." (Exodus 15:26)
"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds..." (Jeremiah 30:17)
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away..." (Hosea 14:4)
...[Since He] did not spare His own Son...shall He not with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know [and]... whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved. (Jeremiah 33:3; Joel 2:32)
There is not a moment when we are out of God's mind,, or His touch. And there is not a moment when He is ever, anything less than completely for us! Hear it once for all: He has made an eternal vow to His own, saying:
"The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has mercy on you (Isaiah 54:10).
Let each of us settle it in our souls. What we read is what He wants us to declare: God is for us! So say it—then say it again. His word is forever settled in heaven, bank on it !!
Until next time, Pastor John
Photo Credit: Don O'Brien