God's Presence and His Promises Will Keep You Steadfast in Hope
Author: Pastor H. Bill Coker
February 01, 2021
Scripture:
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous Right Hand” (Isa. 41:10; NKJV).
Reflections:
God is always present with us, to strengthen, help and uphold us through every trial and situation in life. In His presence, we experience His promises that bring us assurance and continued hope for the days ahead. David the Psalmist puts it this way: “In the presence of the Lord, there is fulness of joy; at His right hand, there are pleasures for ever more.” What a glorious expression of God’s greatness and His goodness to all those who love Him and walk in His truth.
The scripture reference for today, offers a triad in blessings. The first is one of strength. “I will strengthen you...” In His might, God will establish you in His strength, so much so that you will be able to withstand every trial that besets you. “My strength is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9; NKJV). Trials are on every hand—health and healing, making right decisions, relationships, financial matters, and the list goes on. But in all these things, the strength of the Lord is sufficient for the day and it brings lasting peace. “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people (you) with peace” (Psa. 29:11; NKJV). God who calms the storms (of life) is the very God who can restore peace in every season of your life.
The second blessing is one of help. “I will help you…” In His mercy, God will save you. He will lift you up. Are you wearied and worn from your trials? God through the agency of the Holy Spirit will bring you refreshment. He will resuscitate you with a fresh blast of His Spirit. Through His mercy and grace, He will help you. He will lift you up from despair and disappointment to the place of resilience and restoration; the celebrated spiritual privilege that is promised to those who wait upon Him and call upon Him in truth. “Your help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psa. 124:8; NKJV). God will save and deliver you from the onslaught of the evil one. “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His Right Hand” (Psa. 20:6; NKJV). Save Lord! May the King answer us when we call” (Psa. 20:9; NKJV).
The final blessing in the triad is assuring. “I will uphold you…” God will sustain or uphold you in the day of trouble. Through every trial or station in life, God promises to sustain or uphold you in, through and after your season. He promised never to leave you nor to forsake you. He will be with you till the end of life’s journey. The Apostle Paul exhorts us this way: “Be confident in this very thing, He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it till the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). Do not lose heart, God’s presence and His promises are always to strengthen, help and uphold you, until your miracle breakthrough. These three blessings culminate at the
righteous Right Hand of God. Fret not, the very God of peace which raised Christ from the dead will guide and keep you now and, in the days to come.
Points of Contemplation:
1. How do you experience God’s presence?
2. How do you know that you are in His presence?
3. Have you experienced His precious promises lately?
4. Can you distinguish between what is from God and what is from man?
5. What can you relinquish today, so that you can enjoy the presence of the Lord?
Prayer:
Eternal and most wise God, thank you for being my very present help in the times of my troubles, even though at times I fail to recognize You. Thank you for the promises that You bring and for the renewal of Your grace in each new day. Help me to recognize You in the small things of life. Forgive me for the times that I failed to see Your hand at work on my behalf. I surrender my life and my all to You this day and in the days to come. Fill me afresh with Your precious Holy Spirit and empower me to stand, to be sustained and to be refreshed, in Jesus name. Amen.
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