A Refuge of Hope

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

If we are honest, we will admit that there is much our heart, the local of all that is true and essential about us, can condemn us for. Many know our actions, but our heart knows our true motive, it knows what we covet, and what we disdain… without just cause.

This being our true circumstance, there is hope for the one who is a ‘child of God.’ Though our heart may condemn us of our guilt, and though it be true that God sees and condemns our sins of the past, yet our unrest and turmoil may be soothed by the evidence that we are children of God and He is ‘greater than our hearts, therefore, we will not be finally condemned.’

This is true because Christ paid it all, having satisfied the wrath of God towards all sin. Therefore, the child of God is declared justified in His sight by faith in the finished work of Christ.

A true Believer does not attempt to conceal the truth that there is much for his heart and conscience to justly accuse them of… what he understands is the powerful evidence that he is a child of God, and he is persuaded that all will be well.

What is this hope that the children of God have? It is their forgiveness…

Remember that we ‘are forgiven.’ It is a completed work, accomplished in the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of our Savior. So when our hearts condemn us and we ‘repent’ or admit we are wrong, and seek His forgiveness, we are moving towards something that is already made available to us… and to which we just need to receive … to abide in, by faith.

Picture His completed work of Salvation as a fortress that we are invited to enter into through the gate of faith… and to which we abide, or rest in, as He defends and provides for us there. When we ‘Sin’ it is us choosing to leave the fortress and venturing out into the unknown of despair and loneliness… where we must provide for our own security and provision in our own limited strength.

When we realize all that we left behind and repent (turn back and move towards the fortress called Jesus Christ) admitting we were wrong to leave… we will find that gate of faith wide open and ready to receive us once again; to abide in and find rest in Him.

God is greater than our hearts and able to save completely. The work is finished and available for our receiving; you just need to turn to Him and ask…

Choose wisely…

“For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything….
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 3:20, 1 John 1:9)

 

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.


Think About This: “We like to control the map of our life and know everything well in advance. But faith is content just knowing that God’s promise cannot fail. This, in fact, is the excitement of walking with God.” – Jim R. Cymbala

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 26-27, Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19

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