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ConfidencecovenantsEasterFinding strengthsafe and secure in ChristWhen in trouble

Safe from the Storm

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

During a storm we look for shelter, a place of protection and warmth. We button down the hatches. In Noah’s day, a storm was coming. Because Noah walked with God, he knew of its coming, and also how to prepare for it. Those around him were too distracted by day to day events. They had no refuge when the storm hit.

No matter who we are or where we live, there are storms coming our way. The story of Noah is for our instruction. God offers a place of safety to those who trust Him. He offers the invitation, provides protection, and delivers His children.

The Invitation

In Genesis 7:1, God speaks to Noah. “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus also extends an invitation. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Both invitations call us to safety and require a response.

Protection

As Noah did, we find our protection in our response to God. “You are my hiding place,” says the Psalmist. “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Jesus said, “Follow Me.” He also said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John records additional words of Jesus, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him.”

Deliverance

God delivered Noah, and his family, from the flood. He delivers us because Jesus died and rose from the grave.

Paul received severe persecution as he obeyed God’s word yet hear his words, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. … I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.”

Peter tells us He will deliver us out of temptation. In Proverbs we read that deliverance is of the LORD.

Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, … to preach deliverance to the captives.”

Hear these words from “Master the Tempest is Raging.”

“Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies, the master of ocean and earth and sky They all shall sweetly obey Thy will Peace, Peace, be still.”

The story of Noah and his ark symbolizes the safety we find in the Christ of the Easter story. Jesus went into the ultimate storm, defeated the enemy, and rose from the dead, bringing the gift of eternal life for all who put their trust in Him. God is a place of safety to any who believe in Him. He offers the invitation. provides protection and delivers His children, in this life, and the one to come.

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Christ's ReturnFinding strengthFollowers of JesusLife in ChristSufferingWhen in trouble

Having Troubles?

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

Peter wrote to the pilgrims regarding their great heavenly inheritance and of their being kept by God’s power. There was much to rejoice in. However, in writing of this gracious salvation, he addressed the issue of having troubles. From his words, we learn further of salvation, about the trials which grieve us, and their ultimate purpose.

Salvation

First we learn of salvation. Peter tells his readers that salvation from God causes them great rejoicing. Though they have never seen Jesus, they believe and it has brought them a joy that cannot be expressed. They rejoice with a joy that is full of glory and are receiving the result of their faith. It is a salvation received by faith and ultimately revealed at the end of time when Jesus is revealed.

Trials

Next we learn of trials. In all the wonders of salvation, there is something else. Peter wrote that If it was necessary, and only for a little while, grievous troubles would come. Jesus and the other disciples also talked of trials. Jesus talked about having joy amid persecution because of the great reward in heaven, Paul wrote that trials were temporary and working for us something which far exceeded any trouble on earth. James also says to count it all joy when encountering trials for he wrote that they work patience in the believer. Though grievous they have purpose.

Purpose

What purpose could our troubles have other than to make life miserable? They do have purpose. Have you wondered about the reality of your faith? Before your peers, before your own soul, before God, is your faith genuine? Troubles, like refineries to gold, remove the impurities of our faith. Peter wrote that a person’s faith is far more valuable than gold. Gold will pass away, but our faith, tested by the troubles we face, prepare us for the day Jesus is revealed. When Jesus returns, our faith, tested and tried through the refinery of trouble, will bring praise, honour, and glory to God the Father. Even though we cannot see Him, we love Him, believe in Him and rejoice in the salvation of our souls.

From these words we learned further of salvation, about the trials which grieve us, and receiving the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls at the revealing of the Lord Jesus.

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Finding strengthnew creationThe word

In Deceptive times

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

The apostles wrote to fight the deceptive times they were living in. Jesus, before ascending to heaven, commissioned them to go and make disciples. As they did so, the intensity of the lie threatened the faithful. In 1 John we read the words he wrote to strengthen the believers. He writes where to live, the promise for which they live and the anointing under which they live.

“Abide in Me.”

Where to Live

First he tells them where to live. “Abide in the Son and in the Father.” This new life is hiding with Christ in God. It is living in the things heard at the beginning, truths which the Spirit worked in their hearts to make new creations in Christ. These truths must become home, the place in which the soul abides. Jesus came to save sinners, He is the way, the truth and the life, and He is coming back to receive His own. These truths must be the Christian’s home.

The Promise

Secondly he writes of the promise. “This is the promise.” Jesus promised eternal life. Live in the promise. Hold on to it. Don’t let anyone deceive you. It is a rock solid truth for it came from the mouth of Jesus. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” He is truth. Believers cling to the words of Jesus.

The Anointing

The third point of which he writes is the anointing. He tells them it came from God and lives within the believer. He writes, “You don’t need anyone to teach you.” “The anointing teaches you about all things.” “It is true and is not a lie.” You have the Holy Spirit, who is the seal of God’s truth within. Abide in Him. Then when Jesus returns there will be nothing to be ashamed of. He is righteous. The person who practices right living and loves his brother thereby shows he is a child of God.

John writes to the family of God, who face deceptive times about where to live, the promise for which they live and the anointing under which they live.

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Finding strength

Strength

by Esther Griggs
written by Esther Griggs

With Christmas in the rear view mirror and the New Year through the windshield in front of us, we ponder the road ahead. In 1 Samuel 30 King David faced a crisis on the road he was on. Verse 6 tells us he was distressed. His own people wanted to stone him. The enemy had burned their land and taken their wives captive. His road ahead disappeared. David, however, had a refuge, a high tower, a place to find strength in his weakness. “The Lord is the strength of my life,” he claimed. Therefore, he strengthened himself in the Lord. While doing so, David inquired of the Lord. The Lord answered him, and rewarded his obedience.

The road ahead

Inquired

David related with Almighty God. He worshipped Him, spent time with God’s people, cried out to Him and sang His praises. When David messed up, God showed him and he made it right. In this story, David needed strength and direction. Perhaps as He called out to the Lord he heard, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me,” or the insight which caused him to write, “He shall call upon me, therefore, I will deliver him.” He knew where to go for strength and direction and asked specific questions.

The Lord Answered

When David asked for direction, he asked God exactly, “Shall I pursue this troop?, Shall I overtake them?” The next line reads, “He answered him.” God answered by giving directions and a promise. When David could not see the road ahead, God did. David’s faith brought Him to God, the Lord of Hosts, the all powerful God who sees, and answers.

Rewarded

God gave the direction to pursue. David did so. The result was as God promised. They recovered all!

Heart weakening crisis happened repeatedly in King David’s life. These resulted in the great Book of the Psalms from which the Lord Himself comforts us. This year I pray, no matter the road ahead, visible or not, we find ourselves finding our strength in the Lord, inquiring of Him and hearing His directions. As we follow His leadership, we shall obtain the promises. Hear these words from an old hymn “From strength to strength go on.”

While strengthening himself, David inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him, and rewarded his obedience.

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