“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ~ C. Ten Boom
To abide means to choose to dwell in something, to rely on its provision, security, and strength.
This would be like abiding in some sort of refuge or shelter to escape a storm. We do this because of what we know about these places, as well as what we know about storms. God had been revealing things about Himself to man since the beginning of time so that when we needed shelter from the storms. We would know we could find an abiding place that was ‘known’ to be safe and sound.
He told Adam that if they disobeyed His Word, His holiness would consume them like a fire. Yet when the time came, He used it to make known His grace and mercy by protecting them with a blood sacrifice that portrayed His ultimate plan of salvation.
Time and again, God revealed His character traits of forgiveness, provider, grace, sustainer, hope, peacemaker, and salvation… all driven by His love. Yet, the Israelites like us refuse His ways and turn to others things for help. They even told the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies” – Isaiah 30:10.
Tell us Lies? Really? You will trust in a lie that’s makes you feel good about yourself but will lead to your demise, before you will abide in the truth? Are we that willful and blind?
God in His faithfulness presses on in pursuit of us saying, “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it’” – Isaiah 30:15
Just return to me, He pleads, come find rest in my shelter, and I will provide for you everything you need… even covering over your sins and rejection of me… What more could we ask for, what more could we want?
Praying you turn to Jesus and abide in Him today, finding your rest in Him.
Choose wisely….
“I love you, LORD; you are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” – Psalms 18:1-3
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: “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 23-25; John 16:16-33| You can download our 2022 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
