For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.2
Again and again, experience and circumstance forces me to be reminded of God’s covenant promises. He is great, good, faithful, and worthy to be praised. Through Jesus I entrust each day, each step, and he makes a way.
Yes, he is covenant keeping; yet gives stern warnings not only through circumstances but also with his words. When he commands that we love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength3, he means it. He warns, For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul.4 And further reminds us to get our priorities right—But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.5
God created us not like animals but into his own image.6 Thus, granted us skills and abilities.7 We were not merely for fleshly desires and appetites.8 For God knows everything the world can offer will pass away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.9
Our personal ups-and-downs are like the potter’s wheel that molds us. Best to take heed lest we miss the lessons and journey around in circles. Even better is to learn from what God has written. The Bible is full of life-lessons that we could draw from and avoid the dead-ends. For I do not want you to be unaware brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock, that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.10
Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.11 And even more explicit, Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction . . .12 Yes, it is good to be reminded! You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth.13
By grace, we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us . . . . Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.14
Notes:
1. Psalm 87:1a
2. Psalm 31:3-5
3. Mark 12:29-30
4. Matthew 16:26
5. Matthew 6:33
6. Genesis 1:26-27
7. Genesis 1:28
8. 1 John 2:16
9. 1 John 2:17
10. 1 Corinthians 10:1-5
11. 1 Corinthians 10:6
12. 1 Corinthians 10:11
13. Deuteronomy 8:18
14. Hebrews 10:19-23
