The Apostle Paul writes from the conviction of certainty. He speaks of what
he knows is sure, and this approach has endeared us to his writings.
He says in Romans 8, for example, that He is convinced — he knows for sure — “that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39. He also says in Philippians 1 that He knows of one thing for sure — “that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” Philippians 1:6. Paul’s certainty is also our certainty: “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” 1 Thessalonians 5:2.
Consider for a moment, dear friends, three (3) things that you know for sure, three (3) things that all Christians must know. WE KNOW THAT JESUS IS ENOUGH. The old beloved hymn is correct: “Jesus loves me this I know.” That Jesus is all we need, that Jesus is enough, invites us to anchor our lives in Him, rather than in so many other things to which we are dearly attracted. The Lord told the Apostle Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Paul knew for sure what we all know, that when the storms of life come, Jesus is enough. When you’re down and broken, Jesus alone is all you need to put you back on your feet. In ancient times small fishing boats would hang their anchors in the water during storms to keep the boat form rocking and tipping, but they knew what we all know, that the anchor will not keep the storms away. In our life, the anchor doesn’t make the storms go away, the anchor helps us ride out the storms and make it through.
Jesus is enough, Jesus is all we need to get us through the storm in our life.
The second thing we know for sure is that the WORD OF GOD IS TRUE.
There are many times when I read the Scriptures and I don’t understand all that is being said, or I read and it just doesn’t seem to matter or help.
Or I read something that seems to contradict something else in the bible.
But I know this, that when the storms of life come the Scriptures reappear in my memory. I have come to appreciate more than anything else in life the power and blessing of daily reading of the Scriptures for often times when the storms come my way, the Scriptures will reappear in my mind to help me get through the storm. God’s Word often helps later in the storm. But all of this predicated on my believing that God’s Word is true and that someday the storm will show me the truth of God’s Word.
We live in a very disposable time in our culture today. If we disagree with someone, we throw out their opinions. But we cannot throw out some of the Word of God because it is hard or difficult to understand or accept. ALL of the Word of God is true. You can read it, you can believe it, and you can do it — you can live every word of God’s Word because it is true!
The third (3rd) and last thing I know is that GOD IS FAITHFUL, and I know God is faithful as I look back on my life and see the storms in my life that have nearly sunk me. And what I have experienced every single time is that God is always faithful! The storms in life show God’s faithfulness.
God shows us time and time again that You, Lord, are still here with me.
I am never alone. God has never abandoned me or forsaken me.
Samuel knew this when he said of God: “Thus far God has helped me”
1 Samuel 7:12. In other words, if God was faithful to me and helped me yesterday, and if God is faithful and willing to help me today, then God will do it tomorrow.
So as you begin to navigate through another year of life in 2025 consider these three (3) thing you know for certain: that God is enough, that the Word of God is true, and that God is always faithful. And when the storms of this new year overtake you, bring yourself to God and give Him all that you have in your heart. Remember the little boy who gave Jesus all that he had — just a few fish and breads. And consider what Jesus did with such a little bag of goods — He multiplied it because God is enough, because His Word is true, and because He is always faithful. So never walk away from God in the storms of your life in 2025. Give yourself to God, as Jesus gave all he had to His Father. Bring your fears, your sin, your weakness and misgivings — bring it all to the Lord. And watch what God will do in Your life because of His steadfast faithfulness, because everything He says is true, and because God is all you will ever need.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work”
2 Corinthians 9:8.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” Zephaniah 3:17.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9.
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