The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good. Our Lord is good every day, every hour, and every moment. And God is good no matter the problem or circumstance. The Lord is very good.
God is a place of refuge for His people. The people of the Lord can take refuge in God’s power, His personal presence, and His promises. The Lord is our stronghold in the day of trouble and in the time of triumph. Yahweh is our refuge forever.
The Lord knows His own. Our God knows His children and cares for His children. Dear Christian, the Savior knows every aspect and circumstance of your life. Jesus sees even when others can’t perceive all that is happening to you. The Lord knows His beloved ones. We can take comfort in that fact.
How can we apply these truths to our lives? Believer the Lord, trust the Lord, and obey the Lord. Why? Because God knows us, sees us, and shelters us. Praise be to His glorious name!
We live in a world that values power. Our culture is in love with physical power, military power, and economic power. Power is the objective and power is sought by many in our day.
God’s power is altogether different. How so? The Bible tells us.
**God’s power saves………..
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
**God’s power resurrects……..
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 1 Corinthians 15:42-43
**God’s power is infinite………..
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Ephesians 1:18-23
**Gods’ power is everlasting………..
Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ ; and He will reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.
Revelation 11:15-17
God’s power is greater than any earthly power. I don’t know about you. But, I’ll seek to live in God’s power every day. Be blessed with this thought!
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:6-8
Our belief in God will be key in overcoming problems. Praying in faith requires more than just words. Faith is demanded as we seek communion with the Lord.
James qualifies verse 5 by giving us a stern warning. When we ask for wisdom, we should not ask in doubt. We are to ask for wisdom through faith believing that God will answer our prayer. We shouldn’t expect anything if we pray insincerely and half-heartedly. Believe and trust are paramount in having power in prayer.
James describes the doubting prayer as unstable and double-minded. The phrase double-minded refers to a divided allegiance. Christian, we will never have power in prayer until we give up on doubt and trust God completely.
Overcoming problems requires a belief in God’s purposes and a need for God’s wisdom. How about you? Will you commit to praying with supreme trust in Christ? Will you let go of your doubts and trust God?
In Exodus 25, God commanded the people of Israel to build what would be known as the ark of covenant. It was an ornate chest that symbolized the greatness and might of God. This “ark of the covenant” is featured prominently in Israel’s history at different points in the Old Testament.
The ark still teaches us much today even though we are no longer under the law. It still has meaning and teaches us principles for our time. An examination of these principles will follow.
First, the ark symbolized the purity of God. The ark was to be overlaid with pure gold inside and out. (Exodus 25:11) The purity of God would be memorialized through the purity of the gold. God is pure and holy and the ark would serve as a reminder of that fact.
Second, the ark symbolized the presence of God. The ark would dwell in the most holy place of the tabernacle and later in the same place in the temple. (Exodus 40:20-21) It would remain as a perpetual illustration to remind the people that God was with them. They would be His people and He would be there God.
Also, the ark symbolized the purposes of God. The ark would serve as an illustration of the covenant of God with His people. The mercy seat or “atonement cover” was placed on the top of the ark and there the High Priest would place the blood of the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people. (Leviticus 16:14) The mercy of God would be found through the sacrifices remunerated each year on the Day of Atonement.
What does this mean for Believers today? We need to be in awe of the purity of God. In a world that is filled with impurity, God’s purity shines forth like the sun.
We should realize that God dwells with us as well. He indwells us through the power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16) We no longer look to an object because He is with us at all times.
Finally, the ark instructs us about Jesus. It is through the blood of Jesus that our sins are ultimately removed and we are forgiven. (Hebrews 10) His sacrifice was accepted and fulfilled the entirety of the law for us.
As Paul says “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) Be blessed today!
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:4-5
Oh, how we need wisdom today. It has been said that our world is full of very great knowledge and very little wisdom. We need the wisdom of God and not worldly wisdom. When we live by Godly wisdom and persevere through problems, our faith grows. As our faith grows, we become mature and complete in our faith. In God’s economy, problems have a purpose and wisdom pushes us to maturity in Christ.
Are you in need of wisdom? Ask! God loves to give wisdom to His people. The answer may not arrive on our timetable. So keep asking and seeking Godly wisdom each and every day. When the timing is right and when you are ready, God will reveal Himself to you.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Do you ever feel as if you have waited on God for a long time? Does it seem that your patience is at an end and you’re wondering when the Lord will come through for you? If so, you are not alone. Consider these examples from Scripture………..
**Abraham waited on an Heir—Genesis 21:1-5
**Joseph waited on a Dream—Genesis 37:18-28
**David waited on a Rule—I Samuel 16:1-13 & II Samuel 5
**Job waited on Restoration—Job 42:12-17
**Jesus waited on a Resurrection—Matthew 28:1-8
All these waited patiently and God’s promise was fulfilled in their lives. Wait on the Lord, my friend. God is faithful and will reward your longsuffering when you trust in Him!
James , a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:1-3
The Book of James was written around 45-50 AD according to most scholars and teachers. The date of this writing makes it one of the earliest (if not the first) of the inspired writings of the New Testament. It was most likely written by James, the brother of Christ (Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:18) and has been attributed to him in most every point in church history.
The recipients of the book are primarily first-century Jewish Believers. The reference to the scattered tribes of Israel in James’ day makes this point clear.
The book of James deals with practical matters and expressions of Christian living. James is not bereft of doctrine and didactic teaching as the book contains both. However, the emphasis seems to be on how to live out one’s faith day by day in light of the doctrine that has been revealed.
The Principle that James first takes up is this—problems are a part of the Christian life. Life is difficult. Life is hard. I know those statements are actually understatements, but, they make the point of these verses clear. It is not a matter of if, but, when troubles come to our lives. The Bible never sugarcoats the trials and tribulations of life. It is wonderful to know that Christ is with us in the midst of these calamities. It is great to realize that we are not alone.
James tells us that God’s uses problems (tests) in order to grow our trust in Him. We learn to trust Him more and more as He brings us through each trial and each heartache. Problems are a part of life, but, God is not using them to destroy us. He is using them to grow us and make us more dependent on Him.
Another fruit of the Spirit is peace. What brings lasting abiding peace to the Believer? It is certainly not the things of this world. Godly Peace is not found in mere self-esteem or from looking within oneself.
So what does bring the peace that will last and endure in our lives? Consider what Christ has done for us.
Christ’s Resurrection Brings Peace
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
John 20:19
Christ’s Justification Brings Peace
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:1
Christ’s Restoration Brings Peace
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:14
Christ’s Refuge Brings Peace
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8
Christ’s Gospel Brings Peace
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Ephesians 6:15
In short, Jesus and Jesus alone brings abiding peace that will remain with us forever!
mrtonyfrench 