July 5
1 Chron 1:1-2:17 | PS 3:1-8 | Prov 18:14-15 | Acts 23:11-35
If we only were willing to accept God's promises for what they are, such peace would result. We read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Notice the promise: of all who believe in Jesus, none will perish". We read in John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." If we believe in Jesus, we will one day go with Him into heaven. These familiar verses along with so many others lets the believer in Jesus Christ know, not think, not hope, that Jesus died for our sins, and that by placing our trust in Him we never fear death, as death on earth is simply the end of our earthly existence and the beginning of something so much better. But most fear, even in the faith, not fully trusting in these promises as actual promises.
Paul is given a promise by God, as we read in Acts 23:11, "But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” This was a promise that no matter what might seem to threaten his life, Paul could know for sure that he would indeed safely leave Jerusalem and get to share the gospel in Rome. We then read of a plot to kill Paul in 23:12-15, "And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” As dire as this plot seemed, a promise is a promise. We then read in 23:16, "So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul." Paul's nephew "just happened" to overhear. Please realize this was not a fortunate circumstance but the providential hand of God. The nephew warned the commander and Paul was brought safely to Caesarea.
We read in Proverbs 18:15, "Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge." We also read in Proverbs 1:7, "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." We would do well to realize that most of those who are deemed "intelligent", "experts", "thought leaders" are none of these. Atheists, godless individuals, those who deny Jesus, who try to discredit the Bible may have convincing words, may be elevated in the eyes of society, but are not intelligent but are ignorant to truth. Their ears and eyes are often closed, pumped up in their own pride and their so-called earthly knowledge. When the foundation starts wrong, what is built upon this is faulty and easily crumbles. These individuals don't know, don't care about, and certainly don't trust the promises of God. We read of David who placed his trust in the Lord, who was on the run, being chased by his son, Absalom and countless troops, as we read in Psalm 3:5-6, "I lay down and slept, yet I woke in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side." Peace comes from knowing the Lord and trusting in His promises. If peace is lacking in your life enter into a relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: