December 16, 2024

Guidance

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Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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Did you know when people traveled at night in the old days, they would attach a lantern to their sandals?  This way the pathway was lit and they could travel safer.  During the day, robbers would lay in wait for their victims, but at night they were usually home with family and friends.

But, that aside, how can someone travel through life without knowing God?  God designed us for fellowship with Him.  Not for us to be separated from His perfect love. God chose a people to be called his own, a people to be set apart.  As God searched, He found Abram.  God calls Abram to leave his family and go to a land He will give him and will make Abram a father of many nations.  So Abram packed up his wife and his nephew went with him to this new place.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country
and your kindred and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.
Genesis 12:1  

Abram never questioned his walk with God.  He choose to follow and believe no matter what…or how long a promise might take to be fulfilled.  Can we wait 30, 40, 50 or more years for a promise to be fulfilled?  We may not think so.  My friends, we serve a God who looks out for our best, not what we think is best.  He knows the bigger picture.

God promised Abraham and Sarah a son.   And, when Abraham was near 100 years old and Sarah was almost 90 years old, the promise was fulfilled.

And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age
at the time of which God had spoken to him.
Genesis 21:2

How awesome is God for proving His love for these two.  Sarah may have doubted, believing her body was past the time to provide children, but God had a bigger plan for these two.

My friends, God would do this and much more for us—if only we would believe and follow His good and righteous path for our lives.  We need to cultivate our love for Him by reading or listening to His word and by submitting to the teaching of others.

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Father, I thank You for loving us when we are not lovable.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who keeps us from walking too far away from You.  Thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who fulfilled Your promise and showed us how to walk with You.  Do not give up on us.  Do not take your Spirit away from us when we stray or stubbornly look away. Forgive us for our rebellious nature and for sinning against You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thy Word

SeekingHimLogo

Your Word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

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Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
Still You’re there right beside me.
And nothing will I fear
As long as You are near.
You are near me to the end.

I will not forget Your love for me, and yet
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my Guide,
And hold me to Your side.
I will love You to the end.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path,
And a light unto my path.
You’re the Light unto my path.

This Week…Proverbs 30:5

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Every word of God proves true.
He is a Shield to all who come to Him for protection.
Proverbs 30:5

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This week, here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have been reminded of the Truth that God’s Word always proves true.  Our devotional writers have shared their understanding with us in the devotions that they have written.  Here are a few excerpts from their thoughts….

In Understanding God’s Ways, Ahmee reminded us of a few folks throughout the Scriptures who simply believed God’s words to be true….

“In Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God proves true…”.  We have to simply trust and believe that God is going to do as He says He will … Let’s take a look at some stories in the Bible in which the people had faith in God’s word, simply because He said it…”

In Divine Protector, Ann reminded us of numerous promises from the Scripture which tell us about our God and His heart to care for us….

“A ‘shield’ is something that protects; and so God is saying that He is a “…Shield to those who take refuge in Him.”  He protects those who come to Him for refuge … Those who trust in the Lord, rather than in things that can be seen, receive the Lord as their Help and Shield.  Consider these verses…”

In Truth We Can Depend On, Clella encouraged us to remember that what God has spoken He is 100% faithful to bring to pass….

“Does it boggle your mind to try to understand that every (all possible) word of God proves (shows beyond doubt) that it is true (accurate, faithful)?  In our human experience, with ourselves and with those around us, we know that kind of perfection and faithfulness doesn’t exist 100% of the time.  Thankfully, it is true for God’s Word…”

Click on each link to read each devotional.

Every Word of God Proves True

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Every word of God proves true;
    He is a Shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 30:5

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Listen to this simple chorus to help us memorize this Scripture.

Understanding God’s Ways

SeekingHimLogo

Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.
Proverbs 30:5  NLT

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I have a friend who, if she reads something in the Bible, then she believes it is true.  No questions asked…it’s just true.  If God says that it can happen, it’s true.  She’s not a “who, what, when, where, why, and how” type of person;  she’s an “Okay, I trust You, God, and I know that if Your word says that this is so, then it is so.”  I envy her ability to be like this.  I wish that I didn’t have so many questions, and I wish I didn’t need to know exactly how things were going to work.  I like to reason my way through things logically.  However, the things of God are not always going to be able to reasoned through logically.  Instead, like Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God proves true…”.  We have to simply trust and believe that God is going to do as He says He will.

If I had been born in Biblical times, I can only imagine what my story would look like in the Bible.  (Yes, I would have story in the Bible. It might be only those little blurs, but I would be mentioned.)  Let’s take a look at some stories in the Bible in which the people had faith in God’s word, simply because He said it….

Noah

So God said to Noah, ‘I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth! Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.”
Genesis 6:13-14

Noah’s reply?

So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.
verse 22

WHAT?!  No questions?  None?  Not a single one?  Now THIS is the type of faith my friend has.

 

Joshua

But the Lord said to Joshua, ‘I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.  You and your fighting men show march around the town once a day for six days…  On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priest blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”
Joshua 6: 2-5

And what was Joshua’s response?

So Joshua called together the priests…then he gave orders to the people….
verse 6

Seriously, though? Marching around a city and shouting is supposed to bring down some walls? How unreasonable and illogical does that sound? It makes absolutely no sense! But, it happened though.

Mary

Now this lady—Mary—she is my kind of girl.  We need to ask some questions!

Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
Luke 1:34

You see when Gabriel came to tell her that she had found favor with God and would be conceiving a child, she had questions. This just didn’t make sense to her…just HOW could she have a baby and yet still be a virgin.  IMPOSSIBLE!  Gabriel explained,

The Holy Spirit will come upon you…
verse 35

After she received her answers, Mary replied,  “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true…” (verse 38).  Now, THIS is me.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with asking questions.

Wanting to understand is not a bad thing.
However, it should never get in the way of following God.

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Lord, help us to stay focused on You.  May we not be afraid to ask questions and seek understanding.  But may we also not let it hinder us from proceeding in our relationship with You.  Amen.

Divine Protector

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Every word of God is flawless,
He is a Shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 30:5

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A ‘shield’ is something that protects; and so God is saying that He is a “…Shield to those who take refuge in Him.”  He protects those who come to Him for refuge.

After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision
…Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your Shield, your very great reward.
Genesis 15: 1

At this time Abram was fearful but God reassured him in a vision that He was Abram’s shield and reward—He would protect Abram.

Those who trust in the Lord, rather than in things that can be seen,
receive the Lord as their Help and Shield.  Consider these verses:

Blessed are you, O Israel; Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?
He is your Shield and Helper and your glorious Sword,
your enemies will cower before you and you will trample down their high places.
Deuteronomy 33:29

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield.
Psalm 33:20

For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield.
The Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalm 84:11

O house of Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their Help and Shield.
Psalm 115:9

He remembers those who fear Him and promises to bless them.  God rules in heaven but has delegated the rule of the earth to humans.  All of us need to take God seriously on His words.  What He said He shall do…He will do it.  He cannot change His mind for He is unchangeable.

Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind;
for He is not a man that He should change His mind.
1 Samuel 15:29

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Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word.  Thank You because You are our Shield in our lives.  We thank You for You have showed us other Scriptures that have built our faith once and again…more and more.  Let Your grace be sufficient as we trust in You always.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Truth We Can Depend On

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Every word of God proves true.
    He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.
Proverbs 30:5  NLT

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 And The Message version reads,

Every promise of God proves true;
He protects everyone who runs to Him for help.

Does it boggle your mind to try to understand that every (all possible) word of God proves (shows beyond doubt) that it is true (accurate, faithful)?  In our human experience, with ourselves and with those around us, we know that kind of perfection and faithfulness doesn’t exist 100% of the time.

Thankfully, it is true for God’s Word.  In the Amplified, it says His words are “…tested and refined like silver.”  And Psalm 12:6 states, “The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.”  That leaves absolutely no imperfections.

Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.
Psalm 119:140

Because of this purity, God’s Word is sure and we can trust it.  God is one with His Word.  God promises to protect all who come to Him, and we can be sure He will.

God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable],
A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 AMP

In the midst of life’s conflicts and disappointments, God is our Shield. Shields come in many different shapes and sizes. Some are tall to cover the warrior from head to toe. Some other shapes are made to protect the most vital organs, and to deflect the enemy’s weapons from harming the warrior. Spiritually speaking, God does exactly that.  When we come (run) to Him, He is there to protect us from the “fiery darts” of the enemy.  In Ephesians 6:16, God says, “…in all circumstances take up the shield of faith.”  God is there for us, but in faith we must come to Him and accept (take up) His protection.

  • The more we know Jesus, the more we will know God’s Word:

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen His glory,
glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:1, 14

  •  The more we know Jesus, the more we know the Father:

I and the Father are one.
John 10:30

  • The more we know Jesus, the more we know the Father’s Truth:

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one can come to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6

 

  • The more we know Jesus, the more we will be sanctified and protected by God’s Truth.

Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth.
John 17:17

If we will study Jesus—His life, His words, His relationships with others, and His relationship with God the Father—we will know that God’s Word is truth and we can trust it.  We will have the assurance that we can run to God and find the protection we need.  We will walk in faith, and be shielded by Him.

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Dear God, we are so grateful that we have Your Word to turn to.  Life is not easy, and, we need Your protection even when we don’t realize it.  Help us, Lord, not to just “pick up” Your shield in times of imminent danger…but to live our lives getting to know Jesus, Your Word, so we can be in Your protection at all times.  Thank You for the promise that “Every word of God proves true.”  In Jesus’ Precious Name we pray, Amen.

Ancient Words Ever True

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Every word of God has proven to be true.
He is a Shield to those who come to Him for protection.
Proverbs 30:5

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Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
O let the ancient words impart

Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world where’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home

Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
O heed the faithful words of Christ

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
O let the words impart

Robin Mark
written by Lynn DeShazo

Forever, O Lord

SeekingHimLogo

Forever, O LordYour word is settled in heaven
[standing firm and unchangeable].

Your faithfulness continues from generation to generation;
You have established the earth, and it stands [securely].
Psalms 119:89-90

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Listen to a beautiful chorus to help us memorize this passage….

Forever, oh, Lord
Your Word is settled in heaven
Your faithfulness, Lord
Continues to all generations
Your covenant magnified
Exalted along with Your holy name
Rejoicing in promises
I meditate on Your righteous ways
I lift up my hands and praise the power of Your command
Forever, O Lord, Your Word shall stand
Forever, O Lord, Your Word shall stand
Integrity Hosanna! Music
written by David Morris

Reassurance

SeekingHimLogo

Forever, O Lord,
Your Word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;
You established the earth, and it stands.
Psalms 119:89-90 NASB

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Nothing is more permanent than the Word of God.  The Word of God is constant and unchanging.  1 Peter 1:25a HCSB tells us “But the Word of the Lord endures forever.” God’s Word is firmly settled in Heaven forever! It is not an opinion. 2 Timothy 3:16a ESV says “All Scripture is breathed out by God”—our God who reigns from Heaven above.

Psalm 89:2b makes the faithfulness of God’s Word very clear.

You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens (HCSB)
Your faithfulness is as enduring as the Heavens (NLT)

God’s Word is settled in Heaven and His faithfulness is as enduring as the Heavens.  That constant stability reassures me.

God’s Word doesn’t vary by culture.  It is applied the same way to all societies.  The settled Word of God was, and still is today, a demonstration of His faithfulness that extends across ALL generations.  Not some, not a few, not most – ALL generations. puts it like this: ”

Therefore know [without any doubt] and understand
that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God,
Who is keeping His covenant and His [steadfast] lovingkindness
to a thousand generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9 AMP

The truth of God is absolute.  Isn’t that the most reassuring thing you have heard?  It is unchanging in nature, applies equally to all, and cannot be challenged.  I love this quote from Chuck Smith:

If you find yourself arguing with the Word, you’re wrong.”
(click here to read the entire article)

Look at the world today…everything is being challenged.  Nothing is constant.  We live in an unstable world.  But these two verses point our minds heavenward so that we use Heaven as our Anchor to hold us steady.  Matthew Henry paraphrased Isaiah 40:6 like this: “All flesh is grass but the Word of the Lord endures forever.”  Forever—that is our Anchor.  And that, my friends, is what I call reassurance.

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Father, thank You so much for the reassurance Your faithfulness and unchanging nature give us.  Thank You for the hope we find in knowing Your Word is settled in Heaven and continues through all generations. Thank You for providing us with a steady anchor in the midst of the storms of this world. In Your Holy name we pray -Amen, it is so!