Just the other day I was thinking back on my old life. I remembered how I fought with such an unfaithful spirit that lived within me. It made me thank God that He broke that spirit in me before I got married. There are things from my summer of rebellion in the year 2000 that God has just plain removed from my memory. Bits and pieces are scattered in my memory but they do not paint a full picture of my unfaithfulness. And for that I am grateful. It makes me think a friend isn’t a friend just because they say they are, but because they do friendship. They actually are a friend. They look out for your best interest. They give you a helping hand when you need it. They offer advice or wisdom in a right spirit when you’re off track. They pray for you and encourage you. They want the best for you. From the Bible we can know that God is faithful far above anyone and everyone else in our lives. The Bible says, When we are faithless, He is faithful; He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:13, KJV). Don’t believe me? Just let Him prove that to you. Hold to His promises in the Bible. When you pray recite those promises back to Him. Encourage yourself with them.
I opened up to 1 Kings 6 a few mornings ago and started reading about Solomon’s plans to rebuild the temple of God. It spoke of what he would build with and how he would do it. Halfway through the chapter a verse jumped out at me and reminded me of a principle in the Bible. Verse 12 says, Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes, execute My precepts, and keep all My commandments to walk in them, then I will fulfill to you My promises which I made to David your father (AMP). I think this verse was written specifically for Solomon but it still has application and meaning for the believer today. God will bless those who love Him. It may or may not be seen in material wealth but most definitely it will be evident with the wealth of spiritual fruits; love, joy, peace just to name a few. The spiritual house of God is no longer built by human hands made of stone but it is within a believer. The Bible says, Come close to God and God will come close to you (James 4:8, NLT). It is when we draw near to God that the fruits of the Spirit, mentioned in Galatians, will be the prominent guiding force in your life. Those fruits will lead you to safety and keep you in peace no matter the situation.
I think about how much I’ve read of Israel being disloyal to God, in the Old Testament, yet God was still there when they needed Him. When they cried out to Him for help He came to their rescue, time and time again. Even for the church today despite our failures, the so-called dated writings of the Bible are still relevant. Fortunately God holds His end of the bargain up despite our unfaithfulness. Hebrews 13:5 says God will never leave you, nor forsake you. The Bible says Jesus gives us eternal life and once we acknowledge that truth in our hearts no one can pluck you or I out of His hand (John 10:28).
That gives me hope. despite my failures God never fails on His promises. As a matter of fact, as long as I’m looking to God for guidance everyday He will fulfill His plans through me. Despite my mishaps, my fumbles, my weaknesses God is faithful.
So we needn’t worry about tomorrow. The birds of the air reap what God provides and God is faithful to that. Believer He is also faithful to us to fulfill what He has declared in His Word.
What about you? Where is your hope secured to and why? Do you read the Bible just to know about God or to know God?
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth (Col 3:2, AMPC).
A Life Redone 