Tag: Protection

His Love Endures Forever…

Psalm 136:1 (NIV)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever…

Though Thanksgiving Day has passed and we have entered the Season of Advent in preparation for the arrival of the Son of God … we have reason each day to give thanks to the LORD. Indeed, when we declare, “God is good,” there is a response we usually receive, “All the time!” Indeed, God is good all the time … and all the time, God is good! He is merciful and gracious because “His love endures forever!” So, I pray we will keep thanksgiving ever before us each day of life. If we see the sun rise, let us fall to our knees and give thanks to the God of heaven for another day to serve Him … and to love one another as He commanded.

If you have a moment today, spend a few minutes and read the entire Psalm 136 as it recounts the myriad of ways God has manifested Himself to humankind. Indeed, He has revealed Himself through supernatural acts on behalf of His people. The link above is for the NIV, but I have reprinted the New Living Translation (NLT) below:

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever.

4 Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights— His faithful love endures forever.
8 The sun to rule the day, His faithful love endures forever.
9 And the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever.

10 Give thanks to Him who smote the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
11 He brought Israel out of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
12 He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever.
13 Give thanks to Him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
14 He led Israel safely through, His faithful love endures forever.
15 But He hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
16 Give thanks to Him who led His people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever.

17 Give thanks to Him who struck down mighty kings. His faithful love endures forever.
18 He smote powerful kings— His faithful love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, His faithful love endures forever.
20 And Og king of Bashan. His faithful love endures forever.
21 God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance— His faithful love endures forever.
22 A special possession to His servant Israel. His faithful love endures forever.

23 He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever.
24 He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living thing. His faithful love endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of Heaven. His faithful love endures forever.

In addition, here are some links to some wonderful passages that I believe will bless you:

David’s Song of Praise                                             1 Chronicles 16:7-36

Glorious Presence of the Lord                                2 Chronicles 5:7-14

Defeat of the Armies                                                2 Chronicles 20:20-24

A Song for the Sabbath Day                                    Psalm 92

Songs of Joy and Victory                                         Psalm 118

Perhaps, you might write your own Psalm and list all the ways that God has expressed His steadfast love to you…. When you are finished, read it out loud and declare it to your heart in the hearing of your ears. You might be surprised at how powerful giving thanks can be….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Trust In The Lord

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.

Our Verse of the Day focuses on an often-repeated theme in the Scriptures: Trust in the Lord! Trust is the path to peace … complete peace … a peace that surpasses all understanding.


Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. ~ Psalm 4:5


And those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. ~ Psalm 9:10


As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. ~ Psalm 18:30


Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! ~ Psalm 34:8

Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. ~ Psalm 37:5


O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you! ~ Psalm 84:12


It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ~ Psalm 118:8


Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. ~ Proverbs 3:5


The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25


Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 17:7


The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him. ~ Nahum 1:7

Yes, TRUST is the most fundamental aspect of relationship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of our faith in God, and our confidence in His love and compassion. The ancients spoke often of the blessedness of trust … the peace of trust … the power of trust … and the protection of trust. As we contend with the tribulations of life in the days ahead, the Lord wants us to trust Him and His Word. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us; and His promises are true and amen!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Suffering For Doing Good

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Our Verse of the Day comes from a passage that focuses on suffering for doing good.  The Apostle Peter provides his insight as one who suffered for his faith in Christ Jesus; and he explains that even Jesus was made to suffered for righteousness. So believers of all generations share this common experience with the Lord Jesus Himself.  Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Cf. John 16:33) So, let’s look at our verse in its context:

1 Peter 3:13-18 (NIV)

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” (Cf. Isaiah 8:12) 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

I think we can all agree that suffering for the name of Christ is and will be a given for believers … especially as we move closer to the Day of the Lord.  And Peter gives us our application: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….” Though unbelievers will speak maliciously against our good behavior in Christ, the Lord will be our vindication.  So wait patiently for the Lord.  Take heart because He has overcome the world.  And I pray we will remember and trust that Jesus has already prayed for us.  As He prayed to the Father, Jesus petitioned, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (Cf. John 17:15) As the Apostle John affirmed: “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (Cf. 1 John 5:4-5)

So I pray this morning that we will be steadfast in our faith! “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Cf. Ephesians 6:13)

So Now You Know….

Have a Blessed Day!

He Watches Over You…

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

I have always loved this Psalm and the message it projects through vivid metaphors. It is a short Psalm, so I want to reprint it for us here:

Psalm 121:1-8 (NKJV)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber;
4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm — He will watch over your life;
8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

The imagery produced here affords us with great truths regarding the care and concern God has for His people … the pinnacle of creation.  The hills or mountains represent the majesty and strength of God because they are visual reminders of His power.  But then notice how the psalmist moves his focus to personal engagement. The help God provides us is personal and ongoing.  The Father does not let you out of His sight. He will watch over your life. The Lord is your constant companion … your covering … your refuge. The Lord will keep you from all harm as He watches over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I don’t know about you, but I need to embrace this assurance each and every day. I need to keep this knowledge at the forefront – that God is with me and watching over me and that He never ceases to protect me. So I encourage each of us to speak and to declare the faithfulness of God during our times of personal prayer. Thank the Lord for His ever-present help in times of trouble. Acknowledge that He keeps you close … as the apple of His eye. (Cf. Psalm 17:8) Yes, the one who dwells in the secret place of the Most-High God shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Cf. Psalm 91:1) So, I pray that you and I will take comfort in His provision and take rest in His presence. Remember, the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Cf. Proverbs 18:10)

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Quoting Deuteronomy 31:6) So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Quoting Psalm 118:6-7)

So Now You Know….

Have a Blessed Day!

The Lord Is Faithful

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV)

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

I found our verse this morning to be a timely word for those who believe … a confirmation of the trust we must place in the Lord our God.  Either we believe the Lord is faithful, as He has wholly demonstrated through His great mercy and love, or we in essence do not believe He has spoken with truth.  The Apostle John cautioned about the theological implication of unbelief: “We make God to be a liar.”

1 John 5:9-11 (NIV)

9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

God has not been ambiguous in the revelation of His will or His love. “But God demonstrates HIS OWN LOVE FOR US in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Cf. Romans 5:8) “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (Cf. 1 John 4:10)

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

If we accept the testimony of God … if we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ … then we can trust Him at His Word! The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.  And now, let’s read the verse in the context:

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NIV)

1 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Again, our mission … the task of the Church … is to share the testimony of God and to spread the message of Jesus Christ – His Son.  This is why we pray … pray for strength and pray for protection from the evil one. And this is His faithful promise to those who are at work and not idle in these times.  It is necessary for each of us to “release” whatever hinders us or binds us in unbelief.  Yes, right now, I pray in name of Jesus, for “RELEASE” of whatever stronghold, whatever attachment, whatever sin, whatever doubt or fear, that abide in our hearts and keep us from TOTAL TRUST in our Lord and Savior.  I declare, “RELEASE!”

Why?  “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (Cf. 1 Peter 4:17)

1 Peter 4:12-19 (NIV)

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (Quoting Proverbs 11:31) 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

So Now You Know….

Have a Blessed Day!