STANDING ON THE PROMISES
A Sermon presented at Main Street Baptist Church, Doylestown, PA
By Rev. Jerry Schmoyer
©February 22, 2004
A first-person dramatization by Caleb
INTRODUCTION
(Girl, run to front of church waving scroll, shouting) “Grandpa! Grandpa! I found your name in this scroll! It says, ‘Caleb, son of Jephunnah.’ That’s you! Moses wrote all about you!”
(Caleb walks toward her from front) “Well hello granddaughter! That’s right, Moses did write about me. So did Joshua and the writer of Judges!”
(Girl) “Then you’re famous!”
(Caleb) “No, not really. Maybe lots of people have read my name, but not many of them know much about me.”
(Girl) “But Moses and those other writers thought you were special enough to write about!”
(Caleb) “Well, that’s not exactly right. They didn’t mention me to brag about me, but to use me as an example so their readers would understand what they were trying to teach by their writings. They wanted people to know that God would do what He had promised and so we should always trust and obey Him. Actually when you read about me it’s sad, because of the thousands of people only Joshua and I took God at His word. You see, the focus in your scroll isn’t on me but on who God is.”
(Girl) “Can you tell me more about it, Grandpa? I mean more about the example you set by trusting God to do what He said He’d do?”
(Caleb) “I sure can. Let’s look at that scroll. Why don’t you sit down over there and I’ll try to explain it to you.” (Get scroll while she sits down, go back to pulpit)
I. WHEN CHALLENGED WITH CHIEF CHOICES (major decisions of life)
My name is first mentioned in Numbers 13. Moses was our leader, and had been for several years. Moses was a strong, outstanding leader but he wasn’t able to enter the land because of sin so he was preparing the next generation to go in without him. He wrote Numbers to be an instruction manual for the new generation, showing them the importance of trusting and obeying God. While the first generation and especially 10 of the spies were bad examples, he used Joshua and me as good examples of trusting God.
We had been delivered out of Egypt after the 10 plagues, through the Red Sea, and went to Mt. Sinai were we stayed for a year while God gave us the law and tabernacle. Then we went to Kadesh Barnea to get ready to enter our land as God had promised. That’s where I’m first mentioned.
Numbers 13:1”The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan , which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” 3 So at the LORD’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran . All of them were leaders of the Israelites. 4 These are their names: 6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;”
As you know, granddaughter, my name, Caleb, means ‘dog,’ some say it means ‘mad dog.’ I had spent years in Egypt as a slave with the other Jews.
My father, your great-grandfather, was named Jephunneh. Our ancestors were Edomites, Gentiles, descendants of Esau. However our clan, the Kenezites , left the tribe of Edom and joined with the tribe of Judah. We believed in Yahweh and were taken in as one of them.
I was the leader of our clan in Judah and had the privilege of representing Judah when Palestine was investigated. It was a great honor to be chosen.
I had heard that God promised this land to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Now, when we make a promise it expresses our best intention, but we can’t totally guarantee anything. What God promises, though, is guaranteed.
Actually, though, the Bible never says God promises anything. There is no Hebrew word for promise used. The words used are the normal words used for saying and speaking. You see, when God says something it is a promise. Everything He says is a promise. Every single statement. ALL God says is 100% true. So nothing has to be singled out as a promise, because everything He says is. The same is true in your New Testament. God’s very character stands behind every statement He makes.
So when God said the descendants of Abraham would be brought back to the land everyone had a choice to believe what He said or not. I chose to believe and trust what He said He would do.
God said He would give this land to Abraham’s descendants forever. (Genesis 12:7) The LORD appeared to Abram and said, ” To your offspring I will give this land.’” (Genesis 13:14-17) “The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. … 17 Go , walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” (Gen 15:13-15) Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. … 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here.” God repeated the same promises to Jacob and Joseph.
We were a slave nation with slave mentality and no war experience. Here we wanted the very best land anywhere which was controlled by the strongest warriors in any nation. But God had said it would be ours and God’s word is always true.
Anyway, I was one of the ones chosen to spend 40 days traveling 250 miles north through the land, then back again.
When we returned we reported that the land was great! It was truly a land of milk and honey. However the people living there were powerful and lived in large fortified cities. Giants even lived there.
Many of the people were fearful and didn’t take God at His word. That’s why Moses wrote about Joshua and me. He used us as an example to the next generation of how the first generation should have trusted God.
Moses quoted the very words I said: “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’” (Num 13:30)
I remembered another impossible situation, when we were trapped at the Red Sea, and God said He would bring victory and He did: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” (Ex. 14:13)
Do YOU remember God’s promised protection when you are tempted to fear? He promises you victory when you are afraid: “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ( Isa . 41:10)
The people in my day didn’t trust God but let their fear guide them. They wanted to kill Moses, Joshua, and me, choose new leaders, and go back to Egyptian bondage!
We tried to convince them to trust God but they wouldn’t listen. (Num 14:5) “Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua, son of Nun and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.’ 10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. “
The people knew this in their minds but let their emotions take over. They saw only their own weakness. But it is not our strength, just His, that brings victory. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” II Cor . 12:9
The result of their lack of trust was that we couldn’t enter the land but had to wander for 38 years, until 40 years after we had left Egypt. Then those under 40 years of age, the 2nd generation, would be able to make their decision.
But God rewarded Joshua and me by telling us we’d be an exception and would go into the land. God rewards belief in Him and what He says. Num 14:23 “Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. … 29 In this desert your bodies will fall — every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. 30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb, son of Jephunneh and Joshua, son of Nun. … 37 these men responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the LORD. 38 Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.”
Moses wasn’t bragging about me, but using me as an example to be followed. You can be an example to those around you of someone who trusts God.
Notice two things Moses points out about me. First he says I have a “different spirit” than the other 10 spies and the people who didn’t trust God. You can have a different spirit, too, if you let the Holy Spirit control you. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:13).
The second thing Moses says about me is that I “follow God wholeheartedly.” In fact, the Bible says this about me six times! It means I fully, completely, passionately, faithfully, loyally follow God. There was nothing between me and Him. Moses defined it this way when he said we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength (Deut 6:5).
You see, it’s possible to follow God but not completely. The Jews followed God out of Egypt but not into the Promised Land. Maybe you’ve followed Him out of sin by salvation but aren’t following Him faithfully enough to bring you into your place of victory.
Following God completely means there is no gap between you and Him. Are you as close to God as possible? Is there a gap between you and Him?
Several times in Numbers and once in Deuteronomy Moses repeats that the Jews lost entrance into the land because of not believing God while Joshua and I did receive what God promised because we did believe Him.
But that brings up a problem: if what God says is 100% true. Why didn’t everyone receive the land? Are God’s promises conditional?
Yes, many are conditional upon faith and obedience. This is always clearly stated. God had told the Jews at Mt Sinai, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession” (Ex 19:5). He also said the same about receiving the land promised them (Ex 23:20-33). The land was given to Abraham’s descendants forever, unconditionally, but enjoyment of the blessings by this generation was dependent on obedience. You can have victory, blessing, and spiritual growth as God promised but that, too, is conditional on trust and obedience.
Other promises are clearly unconditional, no condition is stated. God said Abraham’s descendants would be a nation forever and the land of Palestine would always be theirs. They couldn’t lose the land, but they could forfeit their opportunity to enjoy the blessings of the land. When you accept Jesus as Savior you are His unconditionally. Lack of faith and obedience can keep you from enjoying your privileges and blessings, but you’ll still be His child.
Remember that partial obedience brings partial blessing. The Jews left Egypt but didn’t enter the land. God’s statements are always true, but often the benefits are conditional on obedience. The more completely we trust and obey, the more we are blessed. This applies to little things as well as big things in life. Sometimes we have major decisions to make where we need to trust God as revealed in His Word. I had that when I had to decide if I would trust God to give us the land or not. Other times we trust God for daily life, same thing each day – we still need to trust God in that.
II. WHEN MEET WITH MUNDANE MATTERS (mundane dreariness of life)
Soon we left Kadesh Barnea and wandered around for 38 years, just roaming and passing time. We split up and went our separate ways looking for fresh grass and water. It was a dull, boring time, but life isn’t always exciting and full of adventure. I had to patiently wait for God to fulfill the promises He hade made to me. Maybe you are waiting for something, too.
I was suffering because of the lack of faith of others, which wasn’t really fair to me. Maybe you are going through some unfair consequences of others’ sins.
I also had disappointment to handle, for Joshua was chosen to replace Moses and I was passed over. I’m sure you have times when things don’t work out as you would like. God did say He would be with us during the waiting times as well. God promises to always be with you, in daily routine times as well as other times. When things seem unfair or you feel disappointed, trust Him and keep on obeying.
In those times, remember God is still there keeping His promises to provide. (Num. 14:11) ” I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” God cared for us every day during those years. He gave me manna to eat every day. He made sure our clothing and sandals never wore out. He kept it so we would never get sick or be unhealthy.
Listen to some of the promises He makes for you in your everyday life: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.” Ps. 23:1-3
“I will never leave you or forsake you. “ Hebrews 13:5
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19
Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
The insert in your bulletin lists other promises you can use in your daily life.
So always remember to trust God’s promises in the major decisions of life, the mundane dreariness of life and the mega discords of life.
III. WHEN GREETED WITH GARGANTUAN GIANTS (mega discords of life)
When Moses died Joshua then picked up the story. He wrote about how God did keep His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph about us being back in our land. What God said did come true, but we had to wait 38 extra years because of unbelief. It could have happened to the first generation out of Egypt but didn’t. The next generation did trust and enter the land. However God’s plans for them were different than for their parents.
God keeps His word but does it in different ways. Sometimes He does it all Himself, like destroying the Egyptian army, opening the Jordan river so we can walk through, knocking down the walls of Jericho or keeping the sun from setting so the battle could be completed. Other times He works through us to accomplish what he wants, as when the Amalekites were defeated on the way to Mt. Sinai or when Joshua led the army to victory over the Canaanites.
Joshua wrote all about this in his book. In the first twelve chapters he talks about conquering the land. He tells how we entered at Jericho and split the country so we could conquer the south first, then the north. That took 7 years of constant warfare.
The second half of his book, chapters 13-21, talks about dividing and settling the land. The individual tribes were responsible for the clean-up operations among the Gentiles who remained in their territories. It seems Judah wasn’t in a hurry to fight for its land and was putting off claiming what was theirs. Perhaps the giants who were still here, scared them. I wasn’t afraid, though. I hadn’t been 45 years ago so why should I be now?
I wanted to move ahead so I came to Joshua to claim the land given me. I was anxious and confident. I still believed God’s statements about the land being ours. God has repeated these promises to Moses (Deut. 11:24) and Joshua (1:4). He told each of them He would be with them so they shouldn’t be afraid (Deut 31:6; Josh 1:9). I knew God’s word was good!
I was 85 years old now. It has been 45 years since God told me the land would be mine: 38 years of wandering and 7 years of battles in the land. Suppose God gave you a promise in 1959 and didn’t fulfill it until this year? Or suppose you received a promise from Him today but it wouldn’t be fulfilled until 2049! We must be patient and wait for God’s timing to keep His word! I had patiently waited 45 years for God’s word to be fulfilled. Now the waiting was up and I was ready to move ahead in faith.
(Joshua 14:6) Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal , and Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’
(Joshua 21:9, 11-12, 18) From the tribes of Judah and Simeon they allotted the following towns by name…. The fields and villages around the city (Hebron) they had given to Caleb son of Jephunneh as his possession.
Hebron (shown on map) it was a priest’s city, but the territory about it belonged to Caleb and his family. I also got Debir and the area around it. It was a tough place to capture. Anyway here I had some of the best land in Palestine, land of my choosing. However the best warriors had already taken and fortified it.
(Joshua 14:10) “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” 13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.”
The land was mine the last 45 years but I had to move into it by faith and drive out the giants. Now I still have to face the giants, putting it off just put it off! It didn’t remove ot change anything. Whatever you are putting off facing now will still have to be faced and worked through. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Believing God all that time was great, but then came the time to act on that belief. (Joshua 15:13-15) In accordance with the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah- Kiriath Arba , that is, Hebron. ( Arba was the forefather of Anak.) 14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the … descendants of Anak. 15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir.”
At 85 years of age I tackled the area with the giants, that which had kept the whole nation out for 38 years. God didn’t miraculously remove them, although He could have. He wanted me to fight them, in His strength, and see Him remove them that way.
The word used to describe the inhabitants I had to battle, Anakite, is correctly translated ‘giant.’ However it refers not just to someone physically large but to someone also large in evil and violence. Egyptian monuments picture them as tall and fat. Og , who lived east of Jordan, had a bed 13’ long and 6’ wide. Goliath, a descendant of some giants who remained in another part of the land, was 9’-9” tall.
The people had been afraid to fight the giants, saying they felt like grasshoppers compared to them. You face giants situation in life where you are unable in your own strength to win but can only do so in God’s strength. Remember another giant-killer, David, and how he had victory by trusting God. 1 Sam 17:45-47 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
Actually David and I were very similar in many ways. Perhaps my example helped encourage him to defeat Goliath. We each had a different spirit from those around us who feared the giants. We followed God wholeheartedly, trusting God would do what He had said He would do. We each saw a situation needed to be addressed and did so without fear of the consequences. God gave David and me physical victory over physical enemies. You can have spiritual victory by your spiritual weapons – the Word of God, over your spiritual enemies.
So Moses and Joshua both used me as an example of trust for others to follow. They even wrote about some who followed my example – my own descendants.
I had given my daughter Acsah to my nephew Othniel as a wife to reward him for driving the giants out of Debir. She was a woman of faith in God’s promises to us. She wanted land to settle and also springs of water so they could live there. She, too, believed God’s promise that the land was ours forever. She took me at my word, just as I took God at His. That’s how children learn to trust God, by trusting their parents.
Not only my daughter trusted God, but so did her husband, my son-in-law, Othniel. He continued the godly heritage I had established. He was the first one to judge Israel after my death. The writer of Judges also speaks of me, continuing the same message Moses and Joshua had started – trust God’s Word to have blessing. After Joshua and I had died, there were very few who trusted God. Israel turned from God and was judged for it. God used Othniel to bring deliverance from Mesopotamia, however. Everything was going downhill, though. It would be quite awhile until a truly godly leader again arose in Israel, in fact, not until the time of King David.
Not much else about me in this scroll. Some sons named in the genealogical records. An evil man named Nabal, who had an encounter with David, was a descendent of mine but obviously not one who followed my example. If he would have believed and obeyed God’s word his whole life would have been better!
(Move down to girl with scroll) “Well, granddaughter, I hope that helps you understand. The story isn’t about me, it’s about Him (point upward). Remember to always follow Him, for everything He says is a promise that you can count on. Set an example to those around you by your faith and trust Him no matter what. Here, take your scroll. It’s time for you to get on home.”
(Girl) “Thanks, grandpa! I’ll remember and I’ll always try to trust what God says, just like you did!” (Leave)
You remember, too, that everything God says in your book is true. You can count on it. Despite what others do and what circumstances are going on in your life, trust Him! His promises are true. You can stand on them!
(PRAYER)
STANDING ON THE PROMISES
Throughout the years many have found, like Caleb did, that the only way to live is by trusting God’s promise. Russell Carter was one. He was born in Baltimore in 1849 and was in the first graduating class of the Pennsylvania Military Academy at Chester. He taught there then spent a number of years in the ministry and ended up going to medical school and spent the last years of his life as a physician in Baltimore where he died in 1928 at the age of 79. During his life he wrote many hymns, even compiling a hymnal. In 1886 he wrote “Standing on the Promises.” His fruitful life reflects the truth of this hymn. It’s only as we stand on God’s promises that we are able to live with purpose for God’s glory.
STANDING ON THE PROMISES
Caleb
I. WHEN CHALLENGED WITH CHIEF CHOICES
MAJOR DECISIONS OF LIFE
A. THE CHALLENGE
1. GATHERING THE FACTS – Num 13:1-25; 34:19
2. GARNERING THE FAITH – Num 13:26-33; 14:5-9
B. THE REWARD Num 14:24 , 30, 38; 26:65; Num 32:12; Deut 1:36
II. WHEN MET WITH MUNDANE MATTERS
MUNDANE DREARINESS OF LIFE
A. THE CHALLENGE
B. THE REWARD Joshua 14:10-11
III. WHEN GREETED WITH GARGANTUAN GIANTS
MEGA DISCORDS OF LIFE
A. THE CHALLENGE
1. BELIEVE IN GOD’S PROMISE
2. BE ALIVE IN GOD’S PROVISION Josh 15:14-17; Jud 1:12-13, 20
B. THE REWARD
1. DAUGHTER – Acsah
2. SON-IN-LAW Othniel
3. SONS – Iru , Elah and Naam .
PROMISES
ALL OUR NEEDS MET
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Ps. 84:11
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake. Ps. 23:1-3
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mt. 6:33
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19
I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
ANSWERED PRAYER
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Mt. 7:7
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Mt. 21:22
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. John 14:13
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it John 14:14
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him. John 5: 14:15
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
You will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:l2
BLESSING THROUGH TRIALS
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Ps. 126:5
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem . Isa . 66:13
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
You know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:3
No temptation/testing has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted/tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted/tested , he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor . 10:13
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield. Ps. 91:4
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him & honor him. With long life will I satisfy him & show him my salvation. Psalm 91:14-16
FAITHFUL WITNESS
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Mt. 10:32
I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. I Samuel 2:30
FEAR
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Ps. 118:6
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. Ps. 23:4
“I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” Gen. 26:24
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Gen 15:1
“Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. Ex. 14:13
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa . 41:10
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Mt. 14:27
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the King of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and fight our battles. 2 Chron . 32:7-8a
FORGIVENESS OF SIN
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Mt. 6:14
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me. Jeremiah 15:19
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
GUIDANCE
For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. Ps. 48:14
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake. Ps. 23:1-3
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov . 3:5-6
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Ps. 32:8
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isa . 42:l6
NEVER ALONE
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Gen. 28:15
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. Romans 8:38-39
My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
PEACE
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7
REST
Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt. 11:28
My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
REWARD FOR PATIENCE, FAITHFULNESS
But those who hope (wait upon) the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isa . 40:31
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Ps. 40:1-3
SECURITY IN CHRIST
I am the gate: whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10:9
STRENGTH FOR WHATEVER COMES
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor . 12:9
Your strength will equal your days. Deut. 33:25
He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Isaiah 40:29
VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor . 10:13
( printed on the back of the bulletin)
Some promises to stand on…
· Provision for our needs (Matt. 6:25-34).
· Answer to prayer (Matt. 7:7-11; 1 John 5:14 ,15 ).
· All we need to live for Him (2 Pet. 1:3 ,4 ).
· Rewards for service (2 Cor . 5:10).
· Help in our praying (Rom. 8:26).
· Eternal life (John 3:16; 5:24).
· A home in heaven (John 14:1-4).
· Assurance of salvation (John 10:29).
· The Holy Spirit within (Eph. 1:13 ,14 ).
· Spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor . 12).
· Forgiveness for daily sins (1 John 1:9).
· Peace of mind (Phil. 4:7).
· A way to defeat temptation (1 Cor . 10:13).
· Wisdom in times of testing (James 1:5).
· Power for living (Eph. 1:19; 3:20).
· Access to God through prayer (Eph. 3:12).
· Mercy and grace in times of need (Heb. 4:16).
· The illumination of the Spirit (1 Cor . 2:6-16).
· Freedom from sin’s grip (Rom. 6:22).
· Loving discipline (Heb. 12:3-11).
· Ability to make Satan flee (James 4:7).
· Resurrection to glory (1 Thess . 4:16 ,17 ).
· Strength to do God’s will (Phil. 4:13).
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