LIVING IN CERTAINTY

Partners In Courage, July 2021

Sermon by Wes Daughenbaugh

LIVING IN CERTAINTY

 

INTRODUCTION:  The Holy Spirit has given me a conviction, a firm area of thought. It’s this: that God has gone ahead of me to put “certainty” into all the uncertainties of the future.

            I started writing “certainty” besides various scriptures as I began to notice this emphasis.  Now I understand that the “certainty” God puts into our situations is himself!

            It seems to me that our world is getting more uncertain all the time.  That doesn’t bother God and doesn’t need to bother us IF we’ll expect God’s certainty to supersede all the uncertainties of the present and future. 

            We can be certain of God’s presence, God’s comfort, God’s care, God’s empowerment, God’s grace, God’s promises, and God’s keeping power expressed through both the intercession of Jesus and the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.

 

1.  WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF GOD’S PRESENCE WITH US.

         God told Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and relatives, and I will be with you” (Gen. 31:3 NIV).  What awaited him there was uncertain.  It was very uncertain what his brother Esau would do.  Reports came to Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him with an army of 400 armed men—not a good sign.  Jacob had nothing certain to depend upon except that God had said, “I will be with you.” 

            The unseen presence of God was more certain than the visible uncertainty Jacob faced as he saw his brother’s army approaching.   When they met they embraced with tears—a miracle of family reconciliation, since years earlier Esau had vowed to kill Jacob.

            Jesus told his followers, his church, and by extension he told you and me, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20 NIV).

            As this present “age” moves into the final scenes every natural certainty will not remain a certainty.  God has promised to shake everything that can be shaken.  Iniquity in the hearts of people who have rejected God’s offer of redemption will be fully ripe with wickedness.  Justice in the courts isn’t certain.  The value of our money isn’t certain.  Social Security isn’t certain.  The safety and peace of our neighborhoods aren’t certain.  Our country remaining free from communism isn’t certain.  But if our focus is on making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey Jesus he will always be WITH US.  He, himself will be our certainty.  So I’ll keep on working to make Christ-like disciples.  And I’ll say to myself, “Jesus is with me.  Jesus is with me.  I will not fear.”

            God spoke through Isaiah, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;  the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV).

            **** Waters, rivers, fires, flames—that speaks of a lot of uncertainty.  In Oregon it is so dry that the leaves on some oak trees have turned brown and died—by July 7!  We’ve lived in Oregon many years and have never seen it so dry.  Last year the entire month of August was so smoky from forest fires our visibility was ¼ of a mile or less—for a month!  A few small towns were burned up entirely—like Blue River, Oregon.  Now the drought is much worse. In California 95% of the state is in extreme drought with only about ¼ of normal rainfall!

            Electricity is not certain in California, and with the shutting down of coal fired electrical plants around the country and an aging electrical grid—well, you get the idea. There’s lots of uncertainty!  But the certainty for God’s people is that GOD WILL BE WITH US.  His presence is our certainty and that will always be enough.

 

2.  WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF GOD’S COMFORT.

            God spoke through Isaiah, “I, even I, am he who comforts you.  Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction?”  (Isaiah 51:12-13 NIV).

            Paul wrote, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Cor. 1:3-5 NIV).

            **** The book of Genesis records the story of how Sarah’s Egyptian slave, Hagar, was sent away with her son Ishmael into the very uncertain future.  Abraham gave Hagar a lunch and a skin of water and sent her off!  “When the water was gone she put the boy under one of the bushes.  Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, ‘I cannot watch the boy die.’  And as she sat there, she began to sob.  God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What is the matter, Hagar?  Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.  Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.’  Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.  So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.  God was with the boy as he grew up.” Genesis 21:14-20 NIV).

            **** Does it get any more UNCERTAIN than what Hagar faced?  She was sent off with a 13-year-old boy into the wilderness with a lunch and a skin of water!  No money!  No weapons! No direction!  No relatives!  No house!  No car!  No electricity! No suitcase with extra clothes!   But God had promised Abraham, “I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring” (Gen. 21:13 NIV).  Abraham was able to obey and send them off because God had promised to be the CERTAINTY for her and for her son, Ishmael.

            Paul gave God a special name.  He called him “God who comforts the downcast” (2 Corinthians 7:6 NIV).  

           

3. WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF GOD’S CARE.

            I’ve marked “certainty” besides a lot of verses in the book of Isaiah. 

            “Lift up your eyes to the sky and see for yourself.  Who do you think created the cosmos?  He lit every shining star and formed every glowing galaxy and stationed them all where they belong.  He has numbered, counted, and given every one a name.  They shine because of God’s incredible power and awesome might; not one fails to appear!  Why, then, O Jacob’s tribes, would you ever complain?  And my chosen Israel, why would you say, ‘Yahweh isn’t paying attention to my situation.  He has lost all interest in what happens to me.’

            “Don’t you know?  Haven’t you been listening?  Yahweh is the one and only everlasting God, the Creator of all you can see and imagine!  He never gets weary or worn out.  His intelligence is unlimited;  he is never puzzled over what to do!  He empowers the feeble and infuses the powerless with increasing strength.  Even young people faint and get exhausted; athletic ones may stumble and fall.  But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength.  They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up” (Isaiah 40:26-31 TPT).

            Let’s not speak doubt and unbelief.  Let us avoid saying things like “God has lost all interest in what happens to me.”  The devil will say that to us—but we must not listen!

            We don’t know how all things will shake out, but we can prioritize spending time with God.  This guarantees that we will experience both God’s care and God’s power! Things look very uncertain for me. Most churches have only one service a week now.  But I will continue to go to bed early so that I can get up between 4AM to 5:30 AM and have three hours with God in devotions—Bible reading and prayer.

            Another portion of scripture from Isaiah shows us that we can be certain of God’s care.

            “You are my servant; I have chosen you.  I have not rejected you!  Do not yield to fear, for I am always near.  Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God.  I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation.  I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.

            “All who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced.  All who contend with you will perish and disappear.  You will look for your enemies in vain;  those who war against you will vanish without a trace!  I am Yahweh, your mighty God!  I grip your right hand and won’t let you go!  I whisper to you;  ‘Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you” (Isaiah 41:9-13 TPT).

            **** Based on these scriptures this would be a very good confession to make. “I will not yield to fear.  I will not turn my gaze from God.  He is always near me.  He will infuse me with his strength.  He will help me in every situation.  He holds my hand with his victorious right hand.  I’m holding my Father’s hand!  He’s not going to let go of me.  He’s here right now to help me.”

            **** I read a vision God gave Annie Schisler.  Certain words that came out of people’s mouths were spiritual vessels that demons could fill with destruction or angels could fill with miracles.  Some words were not important to angels or demons.  But certain words had the power of fear and others had the power of faith.  Into those right words the angels of God poured victory, strength provision and miracles. 

            Compare what you’ve been saying lately about your situation.  Does it sound like this faith confession?  Friends, we NEED to confess the certainty of God and not babble on about the uncertainties that surround us.  Let’s give the angels something good to work with—words that confess the certainty of God.

            Here’s another verse about the certainty of God’s continual care for his own. God spoke through Isaiah, “Listen to me, O Jacob’s tribes, all the remnant of Israel.  You never had to carry me, but I have carried you from birth.  I supported you from the moment you left the  womb.  Even as you grow old and your hair turns gray I’ll keep carrying you!  I am your Maker and your Caregiver.  I will carry you and be your Savior. (Isa. 46:3-4 TPT).  The aging of our bodies presents many uncertainties, but we have God’s certain promise that He will carry us even in old age.

 

4.  WE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER.

            The biggest reason prayers aren’t answered is that they are never prayed!  “Ye have not because ye ask not” (James 4:2 KJV).  

            God will make a way when we pray, even if there is no way.

He speaks to us saying, “I Yahweh, will respond to the cry of the poor and needy when they are thirsty and their tongues are parched with thirst!  When they seek a drink of water but there is none.  I the God of Israel, will not abandon them.  I will open up refreshing streams on the barren hills and springing fountains in the valleys.  I will make the desert a pleasant pool and the dry land springs of water.  I will plant in the treeless desert cedars and Achaia myrtle and olive trees.  I will set in the wilderness evergreens together with many elm and cypress. Everyone will see and know that I, Yahweh, with my mighty hands have done this” (Isaiah 41:17-20 TPT).

            How many of you know that streams do NOT flow on barren hills.  Deserts do not have pleasant pools.  To me these verses are telling me God will provide provision if I pray, if I cry out to God.  God will make a way where there is no way.

            Seven trees are listed here—and trees take a LOT of water.  Cedars, Achaia and myrtle trees, olive trees, evergreens, elm and cypress trees—all planted and flourishing in a former desert!

            **** I think of these trees as ministries.  The Books to Prisons ministry is a tree, planted in a desert.  It takes a lot of water, provision.  A tract ministry—that brings no financial profit—each tract is like a tree flourishing in a desert.   God is able to support such a ministry when it seems impossible.

            **** I keep getting ideas for more and more tracts.  It takes money to develop the artwork and do the typesetting and money to print them.  All that takes my time. Shipping them takes time, for which I receive no pay.  Still, I feel compelled!  I want to write a tract called SO YOU’RE WRITING A BOOK!  It will explain that at the judgment the books will be opened and the dead will be judged from what is written in the books.  Every person’s life is being recorded in their own book—their words, thoughts, motives and actions.   I want to explain that God wants to help each person EDIT those books before they are closed—before a person dies.

            God wants to edit out all our sins and failures. Where our “book” is like a ledger book, God wants to credit our account with his righteousness through Christ.  If we let God edit our book, then God will write our names in the “book of Life.”  We’ll miss the second death, the lake of fire!

            I wrote a nine-stanza poem called YOU’VE GOT YOUR WALLS UP.  I’ve performed that as a rap song and received many standing ovations. People are quite shocked that a bald headed grandpa can RAP!  My favorite verse is verse seven: “You see the Lord’s a wall, a wall of blazing fire. You want safety?  He’ll take you higher!  He’ll seat you with him in his heavenly place. Security is seeking his holy face.  His wall is protection but it’s not a prison, locking you in where your anger’s a fizzing—like a sulfur of hell, one of your own makin’, where you live in fear your confidence shaken.  He walls out the darkness but he lets in the light.  He keeps out what’s bad but he lets in what’s right. His wall has a window into your soul.  People can look in and see he’s made you whole, so let your walls go.”  This would make a WONDERFUL illustrated tract.

            My next tract is entitled CALL FOR BACKUP and it’s for police and all law enforcement officers. The typesetting is finished.I just need to have five drawings put into color and then we’ll have Office Max print a few so that we can field test it.  This could become a whole ministry because the intention is to pair an intercessor with each police officer. That way the police can CALL FOR BACKUP—spiritual backup—by angels sent out as to help as we intercede for them. 

            THE CREATION PLAY and WHEN GOD UNZIPPED THE WORLD are two more. One will destroy evolution and the other will explain Noah’s flood—the destruction of the first world showing how science backs the Genesis account.  It will powerfully support the credibility of the Bible and warn that the next time the earth is destroyed it won’t be because of too much carbon but because of too much sin.  It’s scheduled to be destruction by fire!

            A tract ministry with many tracts, sold at printing cost, where some become whole ministries by themselves—that’s like a bunch of trees in the desert.  God will have to give supernatural provision.  What I’m certain of is that God answers prayer, especially when we pray for a harvest of souls.

 

5.   WE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT GOD LOVES US DEEPLY.

            The apostle Paul certainly lived in constant uncertainty!  How did he stand the stress? As you read his epistles you find the certainty of God—like strong tent pegs stacking down a tent so that it can stand in a strong wind.

            In Romans, the eighth chapter, Paul reveals something he’s incredibly certain of—that nothing, and I mean NOTHING can or ever could separate God’s people from God’s love. 

            “For God has proved his love by giving us his greatest treasure, the gift of his Son.  And since God freely offered him up as the sacrifice for us all, he certainly won’t withhold from us anything else he has to give” (Romans 8:32 TPT). Notice how certain Paul is of God’s love!

            He continued, “Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One?  Absolutely no one!  For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us.  Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love.  What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats?  No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love, even though it is written:

      ‘All day long we face death threats for your sake, God

      We are considered to be nothing more than sheep to be slaughtered!’ (See Ps. 44:22)

“Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!

     “So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love.  I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens.  There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.  There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! (Romans 8: 35-39 TPT).

            Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:22-23 NIV).  

            **** One day I was buying a birthday card for one of my daughters.  I saw a picture of a little girl that looked almost identical to the way my daughter did when she was three years old.  Suddenly a volcano of emotion welled up inside of me, completely filling me and spilling out in tears.  I was so choked up by that love. It was explosive!   It was such a great love!  That’s what I feel for both of my daughters.

            When this happened I realized the meaning of this verse that says we are God’s fullness.  Each one of my daughters is “my fullness,” meaning—they fill my heart to overflowing with love.  This verse means that when God thinks of you, dear believer, his heart fills up with strong emotion until it overflows!  Whisper to yourself in awe, “I am God’s fullness.  I’m one who causes his heart to fill completely up with love and compassion when he thinks of me.”

 

6.  WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF THE POWER OF SEED

            God put tremendous power in seeds.  At creation God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.”  And it was so. (Gen. 1:11 NIV). 

            After that first earth was destroyed in the cataclysmic flood God told Noah, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease” (Gen. 8:22 NIV).

            Jesus said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like.  A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head” (Mark 4:26-28 NIV). 

            Just as plant seeds have power in the natural realm, God’s word, planted as seed, has supernatural power.  I am like that man Jesus spoke of.  I scatter my gospel tracts, my JESUS LOVES YOU messages, everywhere I go.  I’m CERTAIN that the Word of God in them will bring people to God and eternal life in Christ.  Just as God makes seed sprout, God will anoint His word printed in those tracts.

            I live with a certainty that if I sow a lot of seed I will raise a harvest of righteousness.  I’m certain that if I tell people about Jesus my brief life will not be in vain.  Rather, it will count for eternity.  The seed of God’s word that I sow will result in eternal glory to God.

            Paul lived with a certainty that sowing a lot of seed would produce a lot of harvest.  “Here’s my point.  A stingy sower will reap a meager harvest, but the one who sows from a generous spirit will reap an abundant harvest.  Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty.  Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving—all because God loves hilarious generosity!  Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything—every moment and in every way.  He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do. 

            Just as the Scriptures say about the one who trusts in him:

            Because he has sown extravagantly and given to the poor

            His kindness and generous deeds will never be forgotten. (See Psalm 112:9)

This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you.  First he supplies every need, plus more.  Then he multiplies the seed as you sow it, so that the harvest of your generosity will grow.  You will be abundantly enriched in every way as you give generously on every occasion, for when we take your gifts to those in need, it causes many to give thanks to God (2 Cor. 9”6-11 TPT).

            Paul lived with the certainty that you can’t out-give God!  Paul was raising money for poor believers back in Judea for a great famine had struck that area.  He was certain that if the gentile believers gave generously to the Jewish believers who were in need God would bless that seed and give them not only eternal rewards but financial blessings as well.

            **** The Passion Translation has a footnote describing a word Paul used in Chapter 9, verse ten.  I quote: “Paul uses the word the Greek word epichoregeo. It was used in Greek literature for someone who pays all expenses for the drama/choir (production), plus more, providing income for those who take part. God is seen as the leader of the divine choir, orchestrating everything and providing all that is needed to bring forth the sounds of his glory on the earth.”

            **** The last time I ministered in Vermont a group of prophetic people prayed over me and several gave me prophetic words. One young lady told me that a “patron” was someone who traveled with an artist and paid their expenses—helping them both with the production costs of their artistry  but also with their living expenses.  She said that God was going to be my PATRON.  I rejoice to read that footnote on 2 Cor. 9:10 because it perfectly describers a patron—one who pays the expenses of the artists or choir.

      The young lady’s prophetic word to me is one of the most cherished prophetic words I’ve ever received.  Paul wrote, “This generous God who supplies abundant seed for the farmer, which becomes bread for our meals, is even more extravagant toward you.”  I believe God, as my patron, has been supplying and will continue to supply seed to sow—money to make and print tracts and books and videos.  As I liberally plant this seed by giving out gospel tracts every day, speaking at every opportunity, doing a PODCAST and monthly sermon, and more—I am certain that the seeds of God’s word will produce a harvest of righteousness and our own financial needs will somehow be met.

            I have a certainty that my financial giving of tithes and offerings, and my giving expensive Teacher’s Guides and sample Student workbooks to those who want to teach my courses, the selling of my tracts at printing cost---WILL NOT PROVE STUPID.  Generosity will be blessed. 

            I have certainty that the seed of God’s word in my messages is going to have a wonderful sprouting and maturing in the lives of many. That’s why I sow abundantly.

            The bottom line of all this is that the world is uncertain. Inflation is on the loose and I just heard it went up 7% just last month!  Who knows what crazy policies greedy politicians will come up with to hurt the economy and basically steal money.  But whatever happens, there is the certainty that God will continue to BLESS GENEROSITY.

            **** I remember  the days of bus ministry.  Bus kids never paid the bills. They gave a few coins in the offering while running the buses cost insurance, maintenance repair bills, gas, and purchase price.  But I felt certain that God wanted to reach children before they turned into hardened sinners.  And God miraculously supplied.

            Once a man got saved and brought the pastor thousands of dollars of shiny new tools he had stolen from the army. My pastor at that time called the FBI to ask what to do.  They asked if the man was now going straight.  The pastor told them he was.  They said, “Keep the tools. It would cost us more than they are worth to re-inventory them.”  So God provided thousands of dollars of tools for our volunteer mechanics.  

 

7.  WE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT GOD’S GRACE WILL BE SUFFICIENT FOR US.

            The apostle Paul lived with the certainty that whatever the problem, God would mix grace into it—turning it into the miraculous.  This is a wonderful faith mentality.  Paul was given so many great spiritual revelations that God allowed a demonic spirit to follow him. He called it “a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me” (2 Cor. 12:7 NIV).   Don Cox used to say, “It’s hard be prideful when you’re under the water gurgling.” Right!

            God allowed this spirit to stir up riots, cause shipwrecks, beatings and imprisonments.  But when Paul asked God to please stop it or block it from harassing him God said, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect through weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9 NIV).  

            God taught me years ago that miracles are made from two things—problems mixed with God’s grace.  God’s grace is God’s activated power!  So when Paul was beaten and locked in stocks along with Silas, God sent a supernatural earthquake that unlocked all the prison doors and shackles!  So the jailor and all his family were saved.  See how God mixed grace into the situation to make a miracle. (See Acts 16:16-34)

            When Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake the natives of Malta expected him to die. He shook the snake off into the fire and didn’t swell up or die.  This resulted in a huge publicity miracle so that everyone on the island was talking about him. (See Acts 28:1-6) When the father of the chief of the Island got the dangerous disease dysentery, Paul prayed for him and the old man was healed.  Rather than catching the disease, the people of the island brought all the sick to Paul and Jesus through Paul healed them all. (Acts 28:7-9) Over and over we see the uncertainty of what the devil caused mixed with the certainty of God’s grace.

 

8. WE CAN BE CERTAIN THAT GOD WILL KEEP US.

            God has made our salvation as secure as he can.  For instance, when someone makes an offer on a house, they put down EARNEST MONEY.  If the offer is accepted and then the buyer backs out, the buyer would lose the earnest money.  So a BIG deposit makes the sale more sure.

            In God’s purchase of you, he put down a deposit—His own Spirit. That’s an infinite deposit! Wow.

            Paul wrote, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor. 1:21-23 NIV).  He repeats this in 2 Cor. 5:5 saying, “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

            God cannot back out of the deal.  The earnest deposit is too big for him to lose. He cannot lose his own Spirit! So you see, God will not back out of salvation.  This gives us great security. However—even if there is a huge earnest money deposit the SELLER could still back out of the deal.  If the seller did back out, he or she would be liable in a lawsuit.  They would be brought into court and suffer the penalty of judgment.

            In the same way, we can back out of salvation, but if we do, we’ll experience the judgment of God.  Hebrews 10:38-39 says, “’My righteous ones will live from my faith.  But if fear holds them back, my soul is not content with them!’  But we are certainly not those who are held back by fear and perish; we are among those who have faith and experience true life!

            Paul wrote, “For if we continue to persist in deliberate sin after we have known and received the truth, there is not another sacrifice for sin to be made for us.  But this would qualify one for the certain, terrifying expectation of judgment and the raging fire ready to burn up his enemies.  Anyone who disobeyed Moses’ law died without mercy on the simple evidence of two or three witnesses.  How much more severely do you suppose a person deserves to be judged who has contempt for God’s Son, and who scorns the blood of the new covenant that made him holy, and who mocks the spirit of grace? (Heb. 10:26-29 TPT)

            We have to have confidence in the certainty that God will keep us if we WANT TO BE KEPT.  The Bible says, “So he is able to save fully from now throughout eternity, everyone who comes to God through him, because he lives to pray continually for them” (Heb. 7:25 TPT).

            The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us.  Paul was certain of this when he wrote, “But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.  God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny” (Romans 8:26-27 TPT).

            God cannot back out of the deal. We can back out, but we have Jesus and the Holy Spirit-- 2/3 of the Trinity both interceding for us!  Wow!  I always tell God, “Keep me Lord, I want to be kept.”

            **** A word of caution: There are those who abuse God’s grace by changing it into a license for sin, thinking that no repentance is ever necessary because of God’s grace. So they live in unrepentant sin, not realizing that they are mocking the spirit of grace!  God wants me, I’m certain of that! And I want him!  I’m certain of that.  Even if I go through great trials, I’m certain that His keeping power and intercession will keep me.  I live in the certainty of knowing He will keep me.

            As Jude wrote, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 1:24-25 NIV).

            Now may God give you a inner sense and mind set of spiritual certainty through every uncertain earthly situation.  As the scriptures say, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isa. 26:3 NIV).

           

            I LOVE YOU.  GOD BLESS YOU.

Wes Daughenbaugh