Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 7; 2 Corinthians 1; Ezekiel 15; Psalm 56 & 57
2 Corinthians 1:9-10 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.
Paul and his traveling companions had been in trouble many times. While in Ephesus, they were in the middle of a city-wide riot and they thought their lives were forfeit. As Paul brings this up to the Corinthian believers he says that it was an opportunity to trust in God. As followers of Jesus, we must always remember that we follow a living God who is able to raise the dead. There is nothing that is impossible for him! Sometimes we get down and discouraged, but we need to keep our eyes on Jesus.
The Bible here reminds us that God is a great deliverer. By remembering what God has done in the past, we can have faith for today and hope for the future. As Paul looked back on his walk with Jesus, he saw that God had delivered him from death. He then pointed out that daily God delivers. In the past God had delivered him and each day God is faithful to deliver. Then he looks to the future with incredible hope and says, “In whom we trust he will yet deliver us.” Do you have that kind of track record with God? Does your daily faith walk get encouragement and strength from the past deliverances that God has given you?
When no one in Israel was willing to face the giant, David was strong in faith. Do you know how he had that faith?
1 Samuel 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
Because of a track record of faithfulness, David was able to have faith for the day and hope for the future. Earlier in the life of Israel when they were facing the enemy Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer which means a stone of help.
1 Samuel 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
The stone reminded Israel that up to that point God had helped them. They had every reason to believe that he would deliver them that day too. And he did!
Past deliverance gives us strength to trust God today and have hope in the future. You can trust God – he is faithful! Whatever you are facing trust God. Sit down and look back on what he has done for you in the past then walk in faith!
In Christ,
Rody
