You are kept by the eternal power of God
Good morning brethren, I like to write on what I have titled
“You are kept by the eternal power of God.” My focus is to remind or educate
us, so we can be reassured of who we are in God. Romans 8:31 says “If God is
for us, who can be against us?" This topic will help believers get rid of
fear and even intimidation, 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a
spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." The
Israelites were in a situation, they were afraid but Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah
43:1 spoke God’s message “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have
called you by name; you are mine.” This verse should encourage every believer,
it is a message of God's personal love and protection, assuring us that we are
not alone, hence any challenges you may be going through, face it with
confidence because God has redeemed you and claims you as His own. The verse
also emphasises the unique value every
believer holds in God's eyes.
Perhaps we should break this statement
into four parts:- First, “Do not be afraid”,
Second “for I have ransomed you”. Third “I have called you by name” ;
fourth “you are Mine.” Let us view them one after the other, Do not be afraid
tells us that as believers we must overcome fear. In John 10:26-30 Jesus was
explaining to the Jews “You do not believe because you are not My sheep. My
sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My
Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them
out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” In this scripture, Jesus
compares us to sheep and a sheep that is not associated to a shepherd (please
note must be a good shepherd) can easily be snatched from the fold. The word
snatch here refers to attacking, scattering, or even stealing sheep like the
wolf does (John 10:12). And of course the devil is referred to as a roaring
lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8) with a sole duty to steal, kill
and destroy (John 10:10). Therefore if you are a good steward or sheep, one
whom this verse may refers to - Jesus’s
sheep that listen to His voice; you know Him, and you follow Him, then you are safe from anyone or anything seeking
your destruction: no one can snatch you out of God’s hand because Jesus will
protect you (John 10:11). As believers, knowing God's personal love and
ownership eliminates the need for fear especially in the face of challenges. The
second is “for I have ransomed you” to ransom means God has paid the price to
set us free from sin and its consequences, allowing us to live in a new
relationship with Him. 1 Corinthians 6: 20 says “For you were bought with
a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are
God's." Believers security has been purchased by Jesus and sealed by the
Holy Spirit and has become permanent and irrevocable. The third one says “I
have called you by name” this means that God knows us individually as His
children with needs and desires. Please note that you can only conveniently
call on someone you know, Jesus says “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them,
and they follow Me” (John 10:27). This ownership is certain because He seals it
by saying you are Mine therefore I called you by name, expresses personal
intimacy between God and believers. Lastly, “… you are Mine” gives believers
the assurance of belonging, that once redeemed, we are completely owned by God,
providing a sense of security and belonging. Apostle Paul in Romans
8:38-39 says “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels
nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height
nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from
the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In conclusion, knowing that you belong to the Lord is a great answer to fear. Trust that God is always with you and will guide you through life's trials, knowing you are His cherished possession. God holds, protects, guards and cares for us. It is God’s good will and intention that He created, redeemed, and called us. So be assured He is looking out for your interests and has a good plan to finish His work in us. Thanksgiving service is for 10.30am and workers meeting is for 10am. God’s blessings - Mike