I am sure of this...

(Philippians 1:6) “And I am sure of this…”

It is a terrible thing to lose ones way or to be stranded without a plan. Last night I got a flat tyre on my way to our first midweek cottage meeting. I was stranded and there was nothing I could do, it was a rather uncomfortable feeling. To think that I did about 4000km over December last year without a spare tube and in some remote places while travelling alone without a single puncture. And then 2km from home I get a flat and need to leave my bike stranded overnight. Not a very reassuring position.

Has God left anything to chance? No He has not! If we have lost our way and feel somewhat insecure we need this truth once again to grip our hearts, then we will find direction for our lives. If I look at my life over the last twenty something years and I think about the great highs and the very depressing lows of my Christian experience I then realize what caused me at times to lose my way. “UNBELIEF”! So what does that actually mean? We are “justified by faith”. If we find ourselves in a position of apathy to our God and King, then obviously something has gone awry alone the way. It would be good for us to search our hearts; I am almost convinced we have forgotten that God has left nothing to chance. We feel that we have been stranded and left to fend for ourselves. NEVER! For without fail our King will finish what He starts. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

These are such encouraging words, why do we let them slip in our unbelief. We think we are safe because of what we do and how we act, but it is not the case; we are only safe because of what Christ achieved on our behalf on that cruel Roman cross. It started there and it ended with His resurrection. We are the beneficiaries of His grace. If you head hangs low, I say remember the love of our King, He died for you and if He was willing to die for us when we were still sinners, let’s think on this… has that thought gripped our souls, for when it does we remember just exactly what an amazing feat this was. Jesus Christ and His ultimate display of love on show. There was no glorious pomp and ceremony, but a ceremony none the less and a cruel one at that. He was not praised as the king of Kings but slaughter like a murdering criminal, yet He was willing to do it while we were yet sinners and without hope. Meditate of this, mull it over and pray that God the Holy Spirit would help you make it your own.

Now with that thought settled look at this glorious text, pay careful attention to it and then erupt with jubilation; “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)

Do not doubt, do not be troubled as we have the greatest of Shepherds watching over His flock and just look at what He does when we lose our way; “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” (Luke 15) – HOW MUCH MORE WILL WE BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE!

I therefore think that we forget this truth, this I why at times we lose our way, we begin to walk as we once did a life full of doubt and uncertainty, but no it is not so! If we have His Spirit and we belong to Him we will, no ifs and buts make it home to heaven, just believe! Let us echo the Words of our great brother Paul and say that we too are sure, “that he who began a good work in you (us) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Let me leave you with these very encouraging words from a bother that saw this better than most: - “The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.” (Isaiah 37:22)

“Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the pricks to their own wounding, and rush upon the bosses of Jehovah’s buckler to their own hurt.

We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord ariseth, they shall fly as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth, may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks laugh them to scorn.

Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he cometh forth from his place, the potsherds of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigneth, and his foes shall be as straw for the dunghill. (C.H.Spurgeon)

“As true as God’s own word is true;

Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,

Against us shall prevail.

A jest, and by-word, are they grown;

God is with us, we are his own,

Our victory cannot fail.”

Signing off

Tyrone