Thursday, July 2

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

2 Kings 20:1–22:2

Acts 21:18–36

Psalm 150:1–6

Proverbs 18:9,10

 

 

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

                the righteous run to it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

 

 

This wonderful verse offers a fantastic promise about God’s enduring faithfulness to His righteous servants.

 

Many times, we may read about the positive qualities of the “righteous” and consider these traits out of reach for us.  We may reason that, our efforts having fallen short of a “righteous” standard, we will never experience the benefits associated with the “righteous.”  Paul makes abundantly clear in Romans 1 to 3 that “all have fallen short of the glory of God” and that “there are none righteous.”  Based on the straightforward observation that we all have violated God’s standards and fallen short of His glory, we recognize that we will never achieve perfection (righteousness) on our own strength.  We might reckon ourselves adrift on the sea of sinfulness, destined eventually to drown.

 

Yet, in His great mercy and by His grace, God intervenes to “credit” our faith as righteousness.  Just as Abraham trusted God at His Word and believed His promises about Isaac, we too may trust Him to deliver on His promises.  Paul summarizes God’s granting of righteousness to His faithful ones in Romans 3:21,22:  “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…. ”

 

If we have trusted in Christ and therefore received His righteousness and become adopted as God’s children, we then may experience the gracious provision of this promise.  God will hold us “safe” when we run to Him.  This “safety” will rest on the sovereign and awesome power of God, Who has called and chosen us:  “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:11–14)

 

We may rightly give thanks for His choosing us.  God’s sovereignty should speak peace and courage to our hearts, for we know that He holds everything and “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”  In Romans 12:2, Paul describes God’s will as “good, perfect, and pleasing.”  Amen!  He is making all things new, starting with us, as He molds us into the image of Christ.

 

 

Father God, thank You for giving us new life through the precious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank You for opening our eyes that we might run to You and be safe.  Thank You that You do grant us safety on a day-in, day-out basis.  Thank You that You are never far from us.  Thank You that we are never alone, as You will never leave us nor forsake us.  Thank You for revealing Your character and awesome power to us through Your Word.  Increase our love and understanding for You, Your Word, and Your people.  Draw our hearts deeper into a love relationship with You and Your people.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

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