Know It. Believe It. Stand Firm in It.
As we draw nearer to Christmas, I think it’s important to know the things God says we can count on Him for.
Hard times, stress, grief, & other areas of strain do not take a break for Christmas, so we need to be prepared to know how to lean on the One who is above it all.
I am not ignorant of living in stress or anxiety. It can be easy for me to allow that pair to rule my life, if I let them.
And sometimes they seem to scream at me to let them rule me.
But God gives us promises that we can lean on & stand firm in in any situation, so I think it’s important to remind ourselves of those Truths constantly & daily.
Not Like Ours… BETTER
You see, God’s promises are not like ours.
We are fickle. We forget. We change our minds. We sometimes hold grudges & act accordingly (whether we intend to or not).
We are fallible. We are limited.
But God is not. He is infallible & unlimited.
He is also faithful, kind, patient, & He totally & completely loves us regardless of whether we think we are deserving.
He is steadfast. He is all-knowing & never forgets anything past, present, or future. He doesn’t go back on a promise. He doesn’t act out of spite, but always out of love.
When God gives us a promise, listen up carefully, because it will be something we can “take to the bank”, as the saying goes. In other words, we mustn’t read His promises as if they are something that COULD happen, but rather, something that WILL DEFINITELY happen.
He keeps His Word. Period.
Just Say No. And Trust God.
So, when Satan tries to bash you with lies & overwhelm you with doubts & fears & hurt & anger & bitterness & etc. etc. etc., turn to God’s Truth so you know how to knock each blow with an effective block.
“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.” (Ephesians 6:13) (Emphasis added.)
(*Check out the rest of Ephesians 6 to know what God says when He mentions the “full armor of God”.–God provides everything we need when we’re trusting in Him!!)
Know His Word… And Pray
This is one reason why knowing God’s Word is so incredibly valuable for us. Knowing God’s Word makes us stronger because we can stand firm in Truth. We don’t have to waver.
We don’t have to doubt. We aren’t easily knocked down.
Knowing His Word is so important!
But be careful to also be spending time talking with God & growing a personal relationship with Him, through prayer. (*Read more about “The Greatest Prayer-To Know & Love God” in last week’s post, here!)
If you remember, the devil even tried to tempt Jesus using God’s Word! (*Read that account in Matthew 4.) It obviously didn’t work, but it’s a lesson to us that simply knowing the Truth is not enough. We need to also be spending time with God in prayer, growing in understanding & discernment.
(*Read more about what prayer actually accomplishes, here.)
Let’s Remember Some Promises We Can Stand On
So, this week, I am going to be spending some time sharing about some of the promises of God so that we can stand firm against the lies of this world. (Lies are always authored by the devil.)
God is the author of Truth, so let’s check out a few of the things He has to tell us.
There are so many promises I could touch on today, but for the sake of brevity, I will only touch on a few.
This week, I will share about God’s sovereignty as well as His promises to:
- Heal the broken-hearted
- Be our refuge & our strength
- Give wisdom to those who seek Him
- Be our “Enough”
- Redeem us at our worst
God Is Sovereign
God’s Sovereignty runs through everything we are talking about today, because simply put, He is ENOUGH. He is our All in all. He is our Creator, Sustainer, & Redeemer. He is Beginning & End. What He says, goes. He is the Author of Truth & Life & Love & HOPE. He. Is. GOD.
And so, in everything we talk about today (& every day), we can rest confident that what God says will happen, every single time, no matter what, always. Nothing can thwart Him.
He IS.
As Colossians 1:17 aptly puts it, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
(*If you want a *One Page* summary of verses to describe *God’s Sovereignty*, check out this post by All About God, here. **Disclaimer, I have not checked the legitimacy of Truth on this entire site, but this page is legit & Scripture-soaked in goodness!)
God Heals the Broken-Hearted
So, for our first promise to cover for today, God tells us that, among other things, one mission of His is to bind up/heal the broken-hearted.
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
Because the LORD has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;….” (Isaiah 61:1) (emphasis added)
He doesn’t just want to simply help you cover up old wounds, He wants to bring healing. He CAN bring healing.
He is in the business of restoration.
So, let Him, Darling One.
If you have an ache that can’t be soothed, a scar that cannot seem to stop mocking you, or a grief big or small, God sees you. He sees your hidden hurting.
And He loves you so much.
Let Him Heal… Lean Into Him
Do you feel Him beckoning you into His arms? It’s not your imagination. He is not a figment of your imagination. He is real & He is faithful & He is calling to heal you.
He comes to us to heal our broken hearts & to refresh & renew us after big hurts (& little ones), as we let Him.
He knows you deeply, inside & out. He loves you the same way.
So, if that describes you (even for those background, nagging hurts that you try to convince yourself aren’t there or that you can “handle them.”), lean into Him & ask for His healing.
Don’t put all the weight of that burden on yourself, Darling. Dump it in His willing, loving, able arms & let Him wrap you up in comfort & love & healing.
God Is Our Refuge & Our Strength
This carries into our second promise to cover in this post, from Psalm 46:1-3, 7:
“God is our refuge & strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar & be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah…
… The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” (Emphasis added.)
Not only does God promise to heal our hurts, He also promises to be a refuge for us in times of troubles.
When we fear, when we tremble, when we worry… We can lean into Him & count on Him because He Is Enough.
He Gives Perfect Wisdom
Promise number three for today is that God gives wisdom to those who seek Him for it.
Matthew 7:7-8 says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Emphasis added.)
And James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (Emphasis added.)
When faced with trials, temptation, anxiety, etc., we can always turn to God for the best answers to our questions.
We must remember that this does not mean asking God to confirm what we already want to believe, so we may feel justified in our own wisdom, but rather to lay aside our earthly wisdom in exchange for His Perfect Truth & Wisdom.
Do you want actual truth? Or do you just want validation to believe what you want to believe?
As says Isaiah 55, “His ways our higher than our ways.” We must learn to lay our wisdom down in exchange for asking God to fill us with His unfailing wisdom.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways,”
declares the LORD.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) (Emphasis added.)
His Word never fails. We can count on it. It’s worth the trade a million times over to exchange our will & way for His. Every time.
So, seek His wisdom. Seek TRUTH. And you WILL find it in Him. Keep ASKING!
His “Enoughness”
Promise number 4 really puts everything into perspective. Stress, anxiety, fear… all of it cannot stand up to the “Enoughness” of God.
He is Sufficient. In EVERYTHING.
With every command or instruction He gives, it comes with His power to make it happen.
He doesn’t expect us to become super humans or decrepit slaves in order to obey Him.
He showers us with grace, lavishes love upon us, calls us forgiven & redeemed, & THEN gives us everything we need in order to accomplish anything He asks.
What an awesome deal!!!
And what does He ask? Well, He says that every commandment hinges on just two…
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind. This is the first & greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law & the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40) (Emphasis added.)
You see, so many of us get stressed out & wiped out simply by trying to be enough in everything, all the time.
We fail. We fall. And we despair.
We try harder. We try to be better. We fall again.
Some grow numb to serving God simply to protect themselves. While others tirelessly keep working in an effort to ever improve in this cycle.
But God is Enough. Not us. We aren’t meant to be enough. Because He IS.
“Grace & peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God & of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life & godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory & virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great & precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:2-4) (Emphasis added.)
God is enough. His power is able.
Don’t rush around trying to be the “enough” that you need so desperately. Rest in HIS.
He Redeems
And last, but certainly not least, He promises us the greatest promise of all….
…”if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord & believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes & is justified, & with the mouth one confesses & is saved.” (Romans 10:9) (Emphasis added.)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) (Emphasis added.)
The best Christmas gift you can ever receive is Jesus Christ.
He fills you. He fulfills you. He comforts you. He heals you. He gives you peace & rest. He provides strength. He gives His power to do every good work. He is your ENOUGH. He loves you with everlasting, abiding, unwavering, tenacious love. He never gives up on you. He forgives. He renews. He loves. He is faithful. His promises are Truth.
So, bow your heart, Beautiful One & let Him in.
Merry Christmas!!
Coming Next Week
Make sure to check back next week on Monday morning EST for more encouragement. Love you, Lady!
A Note from Michelle:
If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Weekly Special Spotlight:
Each week, I will feature an item that is changing lives. These pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Petal Necklace (& Petal Stud Earrings)
This cubic zirconia floral pendant hangs from an antique golden chain & pairs perfectly with the Petal Stud Earrings.
Artisan Information:
The women we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another woman is empowered out of poverty to be self-reliant! Women have the opportunity to earn an income, attend financial management classes, & receive education & healthcare. These women are now able to give their family a promising future because of your purchase!
Purchase this piece and empower a woman in India!
Shop Here, OR, Email me at michelle@michellehydeonline.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
