‘For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us’ (2Cor 1:19, 20)
The promises in the Bible are real and wonderful beyond words. These are the blessed inheritance of the children of God. No unbeliever should ‘claim’ them for their selfish desires. This illegal claiming is called stealing. The evil spirit of religion is cheating many foolish people. He is stealing words from the Bible and sells them to the unbelievers at a very high price. This price is their very soul! It is most dangerous to be outside Christ and imagine yourself as a partaker of the blessings of obedience recorded in the Bible. This is called the sin of presumption and God punishes it (Deut 29:18-21).
For example, the Egyptians hunted the children of God into the miraculously divided Sea. But they lacked the faith to receive or sustain such a miracle. The deliverance of the Jews became the grave of their enemies (Heb 11:29). It is very dangerous to be ‘over-familiar’ with the Bible as an unbeliever!
Many people assume that ‘all things work together for good’ for everyone who can quote this scripture. The truth is that this wonderful promise applies only ‘to them that love God and are called according to His purpose’ (Rom 8:28). The purpose of God is to know Him, to worship Him as revealed in Christ Jesus. This blessed, mysterious working of ‘all things for good’ is the inheritance of the children of God, them that are saved in Christ. They alone should trust God for using all things and all circumstances to improve theirs characters, to increase their faith and to establish their testimony.
The born again Christian has a good life, a successful walk with God. He may be shaken for a moment, but he does not fall down completely in the midst of trials. Please study a true believer, what he does during enemy attacks. The child of God does not change his character just because he is suffering an affliction. He still remains faithful, gracious and generous. He still reads his Bible, prays and goes to church to encourage others. He does not become rude or stingy just because he is suffering. He resembles his Master who became ‘perfect thru suffering’ (Heb 5:8, 9). Please watch this peculiar seal of mature faith! It is most encouraging!
For the religious unbeliever who ‘believes’ God’s promises of blessings but rejects Christ, no such assurance should be given. An unrepentant unbeliever ends in hell. How can hell be ‘a good’ thing? How can going to hell benefit his life? Hell is not a working ‘for good’ but a judgment and a punishment on the sin of presumption, doubt and unbelief. Selah!
But you, beloved child of God, encourage yourself in the Lord! Indeed, all things are under the control of God who is your Father in heaven. Nothing happens to you that God does not permit. The trials of life come just to confirm and strengthen your faith. Once that aim is achieved, the same trouble vanishes like the morning midst. There shall be hours of darkness, when bad news seem to abound. It may be sickness, a negative report from the doctor…it may be some division in the marriage, trouble with the children, or slander in your office. This attack from the powers of darkness usually comes with fear, doubt or confusion. The devil seems to be in control. But remember, this darkness is never permanent for the true believer. It is always temporary! Look at your wrist watch and count the seconds remaining. The attack comes and then GOES AWAY! God has promised that for the upright, for the believer in Christ, that ‘light will arise even in darkness’ (Ps 112:4). You will never have to face any trail on your own. You will never be sick and lonely in the same time! You are covered by the Trinity. ‘I will be with you in trouble’ says your father (Ps 91:15). Weeping may endure for a night…the season of attack may seem so long…but the morning breaks and the darkness has to bow to the rising sun of hope and healing in its wings (Ps 30:5; Mal 4;2) . Suddenly, faith is promoted to the status of testimony! Mature faith becomes a weapon, ready to fight back stronger in the future! Unspeakable joy seals the believing heart!
Lastly, test your standing, your faith, you foundation! To whom do you belong? Please do not just smile as you read these words for these are the warnings of life against sin and death!
May God open your eyes to the truth in Christ who is able to set you free!
In Jesus name, amen!