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Divine Sugar Sticks for February 2002

Need a quick spiritual energy boost? Here's just what you need ... Divine Sugar Sticks. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Buddy develops these on a daily basis. I'll try to keep up with his creations as often as I can, so check back often for the latest treats of the day.

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Thursday, February 28, 2002

Faithfulness

To be faithful means more than to be full of faith. The term implies being worthy, fidelity, stability, and steadfastness.

When used of God, “faithfulness” expresses the attribute of Deity by which He infallibly fulfils His purposes and Promises of His Word. It seems as if all the human authors of Scripture unite to magnify God for His unfailing fidelity which runs as a golden thread through Scripture.

“Thy faithfulness reached unto the clouds,” Psa 36:5, 1 Pet 4:19.
“I have declared Thy faithfulness,” Psa 40:10.
“Thy faithfulness is destructive,” Psa 88:11.
“Thy faithfulness to all generations,” Psa 89:1, 2, 5, 8, 24, 33, 119:5.

We can name this great Psalm, “The Psalm of Divine faithfulness.”

“To Show Forth Thy Faithfulness Every Night,” Psalm 92:3

“O Lord, Thou in faithfulness hath afflicted me,” Psa 119:75.
“In Thy faithfulness answer me,” Psa 143:1, Rev 21:5, 22:6.
“He is God, the faithful God,” Deut 7:9.
“Faithfulness the girdle of His reins,” Isa 11:5.
“The Lord that is faithful,” Isa 49:7, Heb 10:23.
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lam 3:23, Heb 11:11.
“I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness,” Hosea 2:26.
“He abideth faithful,” 2 Tim 2:23, 1 Cor 1:9.
“The counsels of old are faithfulness and truth,” Isa 25:1.

All of these testimonies are heavy with the Promise of God’s unfailing care and provision of His own. There has never been the least flicker in the lamp of Divine loyalty.

“Thou art the same.”

As the faithful God, He must be true to His own nature, 1 John 1:9, Isa 25:1.

Faithfulness

We have the exhibition of the same quality in the life and labors of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came revealing Divine attributes.

“His Seed shall be established for ever,” Psa 89:36, 37.
“The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you,” 2 Thes 3:3, Heb 2:7.
“The faithful and the true Witness,” Rev 1:5, 3:14, 19:11.

Solomon asked, “But a faithful man who can find?” The man Christ Jesus was faithful in all things. If ever one was faithful unto death, it was the Lord Jesus Christ.

We also have the example of those who believed in and served the Faithful One.

“He was a faithful man and feared God among many,” Neh 7:2.

Tuesday, February 26, 2002

The World Says, “Seeing is Believing.” But the Christian’s Axiom is “Believing is Seeing”

Did not the Lord Jesus Christ say, “Blessed are they who have not seen yet have believed?”

Belief, or faith, means taking God at His Word, even though even though we may not fully understand with our feeble and finite minds much of which He says. “Faith is the evidence of things not seen.”

Unbelief, about which the Bible has a great deal to say, is the root of all sin. It rejects the miraculous and stumbles over the clear, concise statements of God’s Word.

Doubt sees the obstacles – faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the darkest night – faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step – faith soars on high.
Doubt questions, “Who believes?” – faith answers, “I.”

The Trinity of Comfort!

  1. God is called “The God of all comfort,” 2 Cor 1:3.

    He first comforts us as our Father. And the very use of the term “Father” means to bring comfort to many souls. As long as I can say, “my Father,” that sweetens all the sorrow that can come to me. I may be pierced by a sword, but my Father, it is in Your hands.
    I may have to drink from a bitter cup, but my Father, You have given it to me, and will I not drink it?

    The term “my Father” will make my soul jump for joy in the midst of my deepest distress. As a Father, God obviously comes to the comfort of His children.

    When a child-like spirit is put within us, our souls will lean on His all-sufficient Grace and will rejoice even in midst of deep distress.


  1. God the Son also comforts us, for is not His Name “The Consolation of Israel?” Luke 2:25.

    When you stand at the foot of the Cross, you see comfort there for all evils that pain your heart.

    Sin loses its heaviness,
    Death itself is dead.
    All griefs expire,
    Slain by the griefs of the Man of sorrows.

    Only enter into our Saviour’s passion and your own suffering is over. Get to understand His sorrows and your find at least a pause if not an end.


  1. As for the Holy Spirit, He was given for this very purpose – to be our Comforter.

    He dwells in all the saints to bring to their remembrance the things that the Lord Jesus Christ spoke, John 14:26. And to lead them into all Truth, John 16:13. So that their joy in the Lord Jesus Christ may be full.

    It is something very delightful to consider that the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit all cooperate to give us comfort. I can understand their cooperation to make the world. I can understand their cooperation to save a soul. But I am astonished at this same united action in so comparatively small a matter as the comfort of believers.

    Yet the Holy Three seem to think it a great matter that believers should be happy, or They would not work together to cheer sorrowful souls.     “I will comfort you,” Isa 66:13.

With Some 300 References to the Words “Believe, Believers, Believed,” Here Are a Few to Encourage Us to Keep on Believing

“All that believed are justified,” Acts 13:39.
“I know Whom I have believed,” 2 Tim 1:12.
“I believe God,” Acts 27:25.
“Unto you who believe He is precious,” 1 Pet 2:7.
“Only believe,” Mark 5:36.
“We believe that we shall live with Him,” Rom 6:8.
“He that believeth shall never thirst,” John 6:35.
“Whosoever believeth on Me shall never die,” John 11:26.
“Joy and peace in believing,” Rom 15:13.

“If Thou Wouldst Believe, Thou Shouldst See the Glory of God,” John 11:40

“The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,” Eph 1:19.
“No manner of hurt was found upon Daniel. He believed in his God,” Dan 6:23.
“The Father Himself loveth you because you have believed,” John 16:27.

All things are possible to Him,
Than can in Christ’s Name believe.
Lord I no more Thy Name blaspheme,
Thy Truth I lovingly receive.
I can, I do believe in Thee,
All things are possible to me.

Monday, February 25, 2002

The Power of Faith

Faith is a transitive verb and all the power is in the Object of faith – the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God. There are over 500 references to faith in Scripture and its kindred term “believe.” Most of the faith passages speak for themselves. Each passage is a Promise. Attached to them are numerous Promises as to power and reward of faith.

In order to be strong in faith, prayerfully study every passage where faith, believe, and trust are found in Scripture.

“Have faith in God,” Mark 11:22.
“According to your faith,” Matt 9:29.
“Justified by faith,” Rom 5:1.
“The just shall live by faith,” Rom 1:17.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God,” Heb 11:8.
“The steadfastness of your faith in Christ,” Col 2:5.
“Ask in faith,” James 1:6.
“The joy of faith,” Phil 1:25.
“Precious faith,” 2 Pet 1:1.
“This is the victory, even your faith,” 1 John 5:4.
“Full assurance of faith,” Heb 10:22, 11:1.
“Contend earnestly for the faith,” Jude 3.

Sunday, February 24, 2002

The Lord’s Protection of His Own is Described in Many Ways

And His Promises of protection are associated with such terms as:

Our Refuge
Our High Tower
Our Fortress
Our Hiding Place
Our Rock
Our Covert, and
Eagles Wings.

Make these Divine Promises of protection your own:

“He only is a Rock, my Defense, I shall not be moved,” Psa 62:6, 89:18.
“He shall cover them with His feathers, His wings, His shield,” Psa 91:4. 36:7, 17:8.
“In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge,” Psa 57:1-3, Psa 46:1.
“He is the Rock. His work is perfect,” Deut 32:3-4.
“Thou art my Hiding Place,” Psa 32:7, 2 Tim 4:17-18.
“The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my High Tower,” Psa 18:2.
“The Lord is a Refuge for the oppressed; a Refuge in times of trouble,” Psa 9:9, Prov 14:26.
“Fear not, I am thy Shield,” Gen 15:1, Psa 3:3, Rom 8:31.

With this wonderful array of Promises before us, how can we be afraid of what the present or the future may hold for us? With the Lord as our Canopy, we are safe and we should be serene and satisfied because He is between us and all our foes and trials. We can rest with assurance that not a shaft can hit till He sees fit, 1 Pet 3:13, Prov 3:24, Isa 43:2.

“Lead Me to the Rock That is Higher Than I,” Psalm 91:9

How great our need is of Someone who is above ourselves, our cares, our trials, and our needs! Provoking and perplexing troubles assail us, but this “mighty Rock in a weary land” is high above all the trouble and turmoil of Earth. How happy we are if we have found this lofty and peaceful retreat.

“Thou art in the clefts of the rock,” S.O.S. 2:14.

To Him we are as a dove – blameless and harmless. As the Rock, He was cleft at Calvary and we are hid in Him.

“The secret places of the stairs” speaks of our intimate and spiritual fellowship with Him Who causes His face to be seen and His voice to be heard in His precious Word.

Because He wants to meet us in the “secret places of the stairs,” never let us disappoint our Beloved.

“In the Shadow of Thy Wings Will I Make My Refuge,” Psalm 57:1

“As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem,” Isa 31:5.

How comforting a Promise this is! It is heartening to know that as the birds flutter over their nests with quivering and palpitating wings, so the Lord protects us.

No matter what perils may shadow us, even though it may be the last shadow of death, all is well if we enjoy the shadow of the Lord’s guardian wings.

He shadows, protects, and preserves His loved ones. In the shadow of His wings we have power and peace and even Heaven itself.

There is rest, sweet rest,
There is peace, sweet peace,
There is joy, glad joy,
In the shadow of His wings.

“He Shall Cover Thee With His Feathers,” Psalm 91:4

We have here another aspect of the personal covering of the Divine wings which we can accept without hesitation and find sure.

Past centuries justify our reliance upon such a Promise. A great company no man can number have proved how faithful the Lord has been to the Promised covering of His soft feathers.

Did the Lord Jesus Christ have this precious verse in mind when He used the simile of the hen protecting her brood, allowing them to nestle under her wings?

Because His Promise must stand, let us shelter in Him and experience the overflowing peace that comes through the knowledge that He is guarding and protecting us.

“I Am Thy Shield,” Genesis 15:1

“The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield,” Psalm 84:11.

Safety and protection are suggested by the simile of a shield. The Lord promises to be our impenetrable Shield. Who all believe are blessed with believing Abraham, and so the Promise God made to him, He will fulfill to us. We certainly need Him as our Shield.

Are we not surrounded by foes? Do not fiery darts fly in every direction?

But the Lord interposes Himself as our Shield. “So mighty a Defender,” and because He is our Defense, we must expect His protection.

He Himself and His salvation and our faith form the shield. So, when foes alarm and dangers affright, let us look to Him as our Protector.

His righteousness to faith revealed,
Wrought out for guilty worms,
Affords a hiding place and shield,
From enemies and storms.

“God is Our Refuge and Strength,” Psalm 46:1

“I flee to Thee to hide me,” Psalm 143:9

The provision of a refuge implies several things:

First, there is the presence of danger. A Christian is ever in danger of the old sin nature and self and Satan.
Then there is fear. Often when one is pursued, they are afraid. But for those of us who have the Lord as a Refuge, all fears are groundless.
Then a Refuge suggests foresight. The Lord knows all about distant storms and provides Himself a Covert accordingly.

On our part, seeking the Refuge speaks of prudence. We hide in Him before the storm breaks. And from the Lord’s side, the provision of refuge reveals His laudable concern for our safety and comfort.

How privileged we are to have the Lord as our eternal Refuge. When bounded by our sin, the world, or our problems, we can flee to Him knowing that His ear is open for our cry and His hand is ready to help and deliver us.

His throne is our asylum, His presence is our comfort, and His omnipotence is our guard.

The Absurdity of the Loss of Salvation in the Light of the Everlasting

“The eternal God ... the everlasting Arms,” Deut 33:27.
“Eternal salvation … eternal redemption,” Heb 5:9, 9:12.

How impressive it is to live with eternity’s values in view.

“Eternal glory,” 2 Cor 4:17, 2 Tim 2:10.
“A house eternal in the Heavens,” 2 Cor 5:1.

To gather under one heading all the Promises of eternal life is a profitable exercise for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to pursue.

“The way of everlasting,” Psa 139:34.
“An everlasting King,” Jer 10:10.
“Eternal life,” Titus 1:2.
“Power of an endless life,” Heb 7:16.
“Everlasting joy,” Isa 35:10.
“Everlasting love,” Jer 31:3.
“Everlasting kindness,” Isa 54:8.
“Everlasting consolation,” 2 Thes 2:16.

Monday, February 18, 2002

We Are to Delight in His Provisions

“They take delight in approaching to God,” Isa 58:2.
“Thy comforts delight my soul,” Psa 94:19.
“Let your soul delight itself in fatness,” Isa 55:2.
“They delighted themselves in Thy great goodness,” Neh 9:25.
“I delight to do Thy will, O my God,” Psa 40:8.
“The meek shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace,” Psa 37:11.
“I sat down under His shadow with great delight,” S.O.S. 2:3.
“Will he delight himself in the Almighty,” Job 27:10.

O Lord, we would delight in Thee,
And on Thy care depend.
To Thee in every trouble flee,
Our safe, unfailing Friend.

The Reward of Diligence

The Lord Jesus Christ will always remain as the most outstanding example of the quality of diligence in the Bible. When but 12 years of age He knew why He had come into the world. “Know ye not that I must be about My Father’s business,” Luke 2:49. His Father’s – not His Mother’s!

Unwearyingly He gave Himself to His God-given task and setting His face steadfastly towards Jerusalem, He diligently pursued His purpose until on the Cross He shouted in triumph, “It is finished.” It is finished in the past with results that go on for ever.

The Man, Christ Jesus, most fervent and devout, was certainly prepared to face satanic and human endeavors to thwart His Divine mission.

The Bible has a great deal to say about diligence and of promised blessings associated with it and it is evident from a careful study of the Word of God.

Delight

We are promised that “if we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts,” Psalm 37:4.

“Then shalt Thou have delight in the Almighty,” Job 22:21, 26, Isa 58:14.

We are to delight in His Word.

“His delight is in the Law of the Lord,” Psa 1:2.
“Blessed be the man that deligheth greatly in His commandments,” Psa 112:1.
“I will delight myself in Thy statutes,” Psa 119:16, 22, 24, 35, 47, 70, 92, 143, 174.
“The Word of the Lord … they have no delight in it,” Jer 6:10.
“I delight in the Law of God,” Rom 7:22.

Promised Blessings for Diligence

“The hand of the diligent maketh rich,” Prov 10:4.
“The hand of the diligent shall bear rule,” Prov 12:24.
“The substance of a diligent man is precious,” Prov 12:27.
“The soul of the diligent shall be made fat,” Prov 13:4, 11, 14:23.
“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness,” Prov 21:5.
“Seest thou a man diligent in business, he shall stand before kings,” Prov 22:29.
“He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread,” Prov 28:19.
“Giving all diligence, give diligence,” 2 Pet 1:5, 10.
“Be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace,” 2 Pet 3:14.
“Guard your mind with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life,” Prov 4:13.

A study of the Passages shows that whether our business is spiritual or secular, or both, we should be found putting our very best into what our hands find to do.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with might,” Ecc 9:10.

Diligence makes an expert workman. A diligence inspired of God enables one to achieve the best. Their industry becomes the parent of success.

Shakespeare in King Lear, “That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in, and the best of me is diligence.”

Work and despair not, give thy mite,
Nor care how small it be;
God is with all who serve the right,
The holy, true, and free.

The Opposite of Diligence is Not Forgotten by the Bible

It is indolence, laziness, slothfulness – and their Promises of impoverishment and sorrow are not forgotten.

“Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags,” Prov 22:21.
“Be not slothful to go, and to enter and possess the land,” Judges 18:9.
“The slothful man shall be under tribute,” Prov 12:24, 27.
“The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns,” Prov 15:19, 18:9.
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,” Prov 19:24, 21:25, 22:13, 24:30.
“Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep,” Pr 19:15, Ecc 10:18.
“If any man would not work, neither should he eat,” 2 Thes 3:10.
“Go to the ant thou sluggard,” Prov 6:6, 9, 13:4, 20:4.

“I will pull down my barns, and build greater; I will say to my soul, Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry,” Luke 12:16-32.

Scripture also takes cognizance of the fact of ulterior motives that can inspire diligence. There can be no true industry without the fear of the Lord.

The Lord Jesus Christ described one who was most industrious and laboring most diligently at his task, but yet who was destitute of any fear of God. He thought only of amassing greater wealth. “Avarice – the spur of industry.”

It was avarice that spurred on the farmer in our passage. Because the rich farmer allowed himself to work so industriously merely to lay up more riches for himself and failed to be rich in the Lord, the very night of his boast was the night of his sudden death.

If through our diligence we are blessed with an increase of goods, we must not forget the Blesser’s share of glory and gain.

The Provision of Defense!

The Lord’s coverage and defense of His own is described in so many ways, so many interesting ways.

It would seem as if He ransacks the range of suitable metaphors to reveal His ability and willingness to shelter and preserve those who are covered with His wings. Scores of Promises are connected with Him as our Refuge, High Tower, Fortress, Hiding Place, Rock, Covert, Eagle Wings, etc.

Studying these categories of Promises, we are convinced that we have in the Lord One whose omnipotence and omnipresence and omniscience make possible the most perfect protection for the weakest of all believers.

Make each Promise of Divine preservation your own.

We rest upon Thy Promise, Lord.
Thy Word Thou wilt not break.
Thou never failest and we know,
Thine own will never forsake.
Lord keep us looking, trusting Thee,
Our helplessness, our only plea.

“He Only is a Rock, My Defense, I Shall Not be Moved,” Psa 62:6, 89:18.

“A Tabernacle for a Shadow, a Refuge, a Covert,” Isa 4:6, 25:4, 32:2.
“Abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” Psa 91:1, Psa 15:1, Deut 33:12.
“He shall cover thee with His feathers (wings, shield),” Psa 91:4, 17:8, 36:7.
“He is the Rock. His work is perfect,” Deut 32:3-4, Psa 52:5-7.
“As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend,” Isa 31:5, Psa 91:3-6.
“Thou art my Hiding Place,” Psa 32:7, 2 Tim 4:17-18.
“The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my High Tower,” Psa 18:2.
“The Lord is a Refuge for the oppressed, a Refuge in times of trouble,” Psa 9:9, Prov 14:26.
“Fear not, I am thy Shield,” Gen 15:1, Psa 3:3, Rom 8:31.

With This Wonderful Array of Promises Before Us, How Can We Possibly be Afraid of What the Present or the Future May Hold for Us?

With the Lord as our Canopy, we are safe and we should be serene and satisfied. Because He is between us and all our foes and trials, we can rest in the assurance that not a shaft can hit till He sees fit.

1 Pet 3:13, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right?”
Prov 3:24, “If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”
Isa 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you.”

Three in one
One in three.
And the One in the middle
Died for me! – Trinity.

Sunday, February 17, 2002

God Delights in His People

Could it be true that such poor, unworthy creatures as we are can be the objects of the Lord’s delight? The humblest believer can truly say, “Through the Grace of God, I am the Lord’s delight and the object of His highest love and the subject of His sweetest thoughts, and His portion forever.”

What a blessed Promise and incomparable privilege is ours. The infinite God fixed upon us from eternity past, and then sent His Son, the Object of His delight, to die for us. In a very real way God turned His delight into a sacrifice for us.

“The Lord taketh delight in His people,” Psa 149:4.
“My delights are with the sons of men,” Prov 8:31.
“The Lord delighteth in thee,” Isa 62:4.
“The saints in whom is all My delight,” Psa 16:3.
“If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land,” Num 14:8.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart,” Psalm 37:4.

God Delights in the Prayers of His People

“The prayer of the upright is His delight,” Prov 15:8.

God delights in the way of His people.

“He deligheth in his way,” Psa 37:23.
“He delivered me because He delighted in me,” Psa 18:19, 2 Sam 22:20.
“Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee,” 1 Kings 10:9.

God delights in His mercy towards us.

“Because He delighteth in mercy,” Micah 7:18, Eph 2:4.
“Lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in these things I delight, saith the Lord,” Jer 9:24.

God Delights in Honesty and Integrity

“A just weight is His delight,” Prov 11:1.
“Such as are upright in their way are His delight,” Prov 11:20.
“They that deal truly are His delight,” Prov 12:22.
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings,” Prov 16:13.

Following this concept of the delight of the Lord, we are commanded to delight ourselves in the Lord. So, we have a kind of “mutual delight society.”

If we delight ourselves in the Lord, we have the Promise that He will give us the desires of our hearts. Psa 37:4.

“Then shalt thou have delight in the Almighty,” Job 22:21, 26, Isa 58:14.

Christian Confidence

The confidence that the Bible speaks of includes Promises, signifying different ideas.

  1. Assurance
    “The great confidence which I have in you,” 2 Cor 8:22.
  2. Boldness
    “With all confidence, no man forbidding him,” Acts 28:31.
  3. Trust
    “Is not this...thy confidence,” Job 4:6.
  4. An object trusted in
    “The house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel, their confidence,” Isa 48:13.
  5. Help
    “What confidence is this wherein thou trusteth?” 2 Kings 18:19.
  6. Safety
    “They shall dwell with confidence,” Ezek 28:26.
  7. Bold profession of Christ
    “Cast not away therefore thy confidence,” Heb 10:34-35.
  8. Acceptance
    “In whom we have boldness and access with knowledge by the faith in Him,” Eph 3:13.
  9. Resolution
    “That I may not be bold when I am present with confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some,” 2 Cor 10:2.

The Spring of Comfort

There is not another book of comfort in the world comparable to the Bible. Because the God of the Christian is “The God of all comfort,” we expect His Word to be laden with Promises of consolation for sorrowing souls in a world of tears. Disconsolate ones see these Promises shine out in golden letters on its dark sky and take heart to trust for their fulfillment.

The Bible is packed from cover to cover with things that it never mentions and sympathy is one of them. The word nowhere occurs.

“Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, speak ye comfortably,” Isa 40:1.
“The comfort of the Scriptures,” Rom 15:4.
“We ourselves are comforted of God,” 2 Cor 1:3-4.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ comfort your hearts,” 2 Thes 2:17.
“Walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 9:31, John 14:18.
“He hath sent comforters unto thee,” 2 Sam 10:3. Contrast Job 16:2 – miserable comforters.
“Lord, Thou hast holpen me and comforted me,” Psa 86:17.

False and True Objects of Confidence Are Indicated With Judgment Following the False Objects and Promised Blessings to True Objects

“The Lord hath rejected thy confidence and thou shalt not prosper in them,” Jer 2:37.
“Put ye not confidence in a guide or a friend,” Micah 7:5.
“Ye shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel,” Ezek 29:16.
“No confidence in the flesh,” Phil 3:3.
“Confidence in an unfaithful man,” Prov 25:19.
“Put not your confidence in man, in princes,” Psa 118:8.
“I said to fine gold, thy art my confidence,” Job 31:24, 18:14.
“What confidence is this wherein thou trusteth,” 2 Kings 18:19.

There is no need to linger over these passages. They speak for themselves.

“He Kept Them as the Apple of His Eye,” Deuteronomy 33:20

“He found them in a desert land in the waste and howling wilderness.”
“He led them about.”
“He instructed them.”
“He kept them as the apple of His eye.”

Found them, led them, instructed them, and kept them. Sounds like the Grace of God to me!

Contentment

The Bible is indispensable in that it not only Promises measureless content, but reveals the secret of it. Such contentment is beneficial spiritually, mentally, and physically. Many physical problems like ulcers, would disappear if only people were more content.

Worry is a form of discontentment. Contentment always affects our mental outlook. It produces a peace, serenity, and satisfaction of mind so necessary to health.

“Would to God we had been content,” Joshua 7:7.
“Be content, I pray thee,” Judges 19:6, 2 Kings 5:23.
“Now therefore be content,” Job 6:28.
“Neither will he be content though Thou givest many gifts,” Prov 6:35.
“Be content with your wages,” Luke 3:14.
“I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content,” Phil 4:11.
“Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” 1 Tim 6:6, 8.
“Be content with such things as ye have,” Heb 13:5.

Notice contentment must be allied with godliness.

Unshaken Confidence is Given in Scripture for the Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ

“The Lord shall be thy confidence,” Prov 3:26.
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence,” Prov 14:26.
“They shall dwell with confidence,” Ez 28:26.
“The day of the Lord Jesus Christ and in this confidence,” 2 Cor 1:14-15, 8:22.
“Access with confidence by the faith of Him,” Eph 3:12.
“We have confidence in the Lord,” 2 Thess 3:4.
“We hold fast the confidence firm to the end,” Heb 3:6, 14.
“Cast not away therefore thy confidence,” Heb 10:35, 11:1.
“When He shall appear, we may have confidence,” 1 John 2:28.
“Then have we confidence toward God,” 1 John 3:21.
“This is the confidence we have in Him,” 1 John 5:14.

The Bible clearly teaches that full confidence in God never passes unrewarded. Isaiah would have us know that no matter what our lot may be, “in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength,” Isa 30:15.

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