An Assured Reliance
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.“
Proverbs 29:25
When we need guidance, God will guide us. When we need protection, He will protect us. Though we may not get the solution we ask for, we’re to rely on Him, not ourselves. If we rely on ourselves, we’re on shaky ground. Relying on Him rewards us with solid footing and straight paths.
Our most important reward is the saving grace, freely offered when He sent Jesus to save us.
“I have not come on my own; God sent me.“ (John 8:42 NIV)
He suffered the consequences of our sins in order to save us.
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.“ (Isaiah 43:1 NLT)
He will fight for us, if we would only ask Him.
”The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14 ESV)
He thinks about us. How often do we think about Him?
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!“ (Psalm 139:17 NLT)
He has wonderful plans for us. Do we obey Him even though we don’t understand what those plans are?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“ (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
He is our refuge, and when we rely on Him as our sanctuary, we learn to trust Him more and more.
“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.“ (Psalm 62:8 NLT)
The most comforting of all is that He is always with us. Someone has said that He’s closer to us than our next breath.
”I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV)
”To believe Christ’s power and willingness to help, and to make a practical use of our belief, is a rare and precious gift. Let us be ever thankful if we have it. To be willing to come to Jesus as helpless, lost sinners, and commit our souls into His hands is a mighty privilege. Let us ever bless God if this willingness is ours, for it is His gift. Such faith is better than all other gifts and knowledge in the world. What do we each know of this faith? This is the great question. Our learning may be small–but do we believe? Our opportunities of giving and working for Christ’s cause may be few–but do we believe? We may neither be able to preach, nor write, nor argue for the Gospel–but do we believe? May we never rest until we can answer this inquiry! Faith in Christ appears a small and simple thing to the children of this world. They see in it nothing great or grand. But faith in Christ is most precious in God’s sight, and like most precious things, is rare. By it true Christians live. By it they stand. By it they overcome the world. Without this faith no one can be saved.” J.C. Ryle