Promises for the Battle
Adversity
God’s Awareness #2—Righteous Living
Yahweh’s eyes are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But his face is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12, Psalm 34:15 As Abraham stood beneath the stars contemplating God’s promise of infinite blessings, he concluded that the creator of such a cosmos could be trusted; so he committed … Continue reading
God’s Presence #9—Present In Praise
You are holy, inhabiting the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted and you delivered them. Psalm 22:3-4 “Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm dost still the restless wave,” I celebrate your holiness—your infinite, unexcelled, and irreplaceable worth. In your presence, I recognize my finitude and weakness, and I admit my … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Strength Through Adversity
Sometimes evangelists, in our desire to see people turn to Christ, lay such emphasis on the blessings believers will experience that converts may enter the Christian life without being fully aware of the suffering it necessarily involves. One significant emphasis in the apostles’ message to new Christians, however, was that they will indeed suffer. As … Continue reading
Comfort #6—Transferable Comfort
Blessed be the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our adversity, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any adversity with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 God is worthy of our praise because he works for our perseverance by … Continue reading
Comfort #5—Comforting Words
Remember the promise to your servant, in which you made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your word has preserved me. … I have remembered your rules of old, O Eternal, and they comfort me. Psalm 119:49–52 No matter what anyone says, or how painful the accusation, or untrue the charge, … Continue reading
Contentment #6—Challenged Contentment
He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how will he not also with him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 While we need to be content when we are in the presence too much, we also need to be content when we encounter situations which threaten … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Exulting in Tribulation
“Exult in tribulation.” says Romans 5:3. And James joins with Paul, telling us to “count it all joy when you meet various trials” (James 1:2). But how is it possible to do this when life’s adversities inflict real pain and seem to darken our future prospects? These commands seem nonsensical until we remember that God’s … Continue reading
Praised by God #4 — Valued Trials
While rejoicing in the salvation which is coming, you suffer necessary but temporary trials, so that in the genuineness of your faith—which is much more valuable than fire-tested gold—you will find praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:5–7 Olympic gold medalists resemble the gold they pursue. Olympic gold only … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 