The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Hebrews 13:6,
"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"
Those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith can echo these very same words. Here the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 118:6-7. It is a wonderful expression of the total confidence in the wellbeing we have as those the Lord helps. We have no need of fear for what circumstances may befall us or whatever the malintent that others might want to inflict on us- because it is the Lord who helps us.
Not all can come close to this kind of confidence or assurance in this life. In Psalm 53:5 we read of those who reject the Lord, "But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread." Just the opposite! No wonder there are so many with mental and emotional difficulties in this life!
I have a thought that the dread the wicked have comes from something very real that is looming in their future. Not something they are consciously aware of, and would deny it coming... but the reality of it can still be felt by them even if subtly: the certain judgment of God that is headed their way. For me, their fear is palpable, no matter how well masked in the hostility within the hearts and minds of the enemies of the gospel. Certainly, what we read in Psalm 14:5 is true of them, "But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous."
"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"
Those of us who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith can echo these very same words. Here the writer of Hebrews quotes Psalm 118:6-7. It is a wonderful expression of the total confidence in the wellbeing we have as those the Lord helps. We have no need of fear for what circumstances may befall us or whatever the malintent that others might want to inflict on us- because it is the Lord who helps us.
Not all can come close to this kind of confidence or assurance in this life. In Psalm 53:5 we read of those who reject the Lord, "But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread." Just the opposite! No wonder there are so many with mental and emotional difficulties in this life!
I have a thought that the dread the wicked have comes from something very real that is looming in their future. Not something they are consciously aware of, and would deny it coming... but the reality of it can still be felt by them even if subtly: the certain judgment of God that is headed their way. For me, their fear is palpable, no matter how well masked in the hostility within the hearts and minds of the enemies of the gospel. Certainly, what we read in Psalm 14:5 is true of them, "But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous."
Not so us! We have confidence, assurance and certainty, both in this life and the life to come, in our wellbeing as those the Lord helps! What a wonderful state we have come to when we embraced Jesus Christ in faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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