My first—and very brief—job out of college was with an after-school mentoring program that trained kids in woodworking. When I was asked during the interview if I could teach woodworking, I responded in the affirmative: “Sure!” How hard can it be? I thought to myself. But I had never worked with wood. So when I attempted my first project and mangled a piece of fine wood with a belt sander, my boss took one look at it and fired me on the spot! Clearly, I had no idea what I was talking about.
King David knew what he was talking about when he penned Psalm 27:1-14. He wrote that even though an army surrounded him, he wouldn’t be afraid (Psalm 27:3). We might think that this was nothing more than a hyperbolic boast on David’s behalf, but it wasn’t. In 1 Samuel 23:1-29 we read how Saul had besieged David and his men, intent on killing them. So when David said that he found courage in God while being surrounded by an army, he really meant it!
And this isn’t the only example in God’s Word. When the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11 that he had learned how to be content in every situation, he didn’t state this merely for effect. He had been stoned and imprisoned, shipwrecked and bitten by a snake, and still experienced peace in Jesus. And when Christ said in Matthew 19:26 that all things are possible with God, He knew what He was talking about, for through the power of God Jesus was raised from the dead after He had been crucified and then buried for three days!
It’s deeply encouraging for me to realize that the promises of Scripture aren’t false claims or idle boasts, but rock-solid assurances. The power of God really is able to bring hope, courage, and new life in even the darkest days!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 12:1-24
More:
Read Exodus 15:1-18 for another example of words of praise that were inspired not just through creativity, but by a very real work of God.
Next:
Do you ever find yourself wondering if the promises of Scripture are real? Why do you think they’re difficult to take seriously? How can you remind yourself to apply the real events of the Bible in your daily life?
Gary Shultz on April 17, 2015 at 5:55 am
Is not experience a wonderful thing? God allows us to learn things encourages us with His promises and then says, let’s give this thing a run. Then we learn the full application and the full promise of what we think we knew. Just like your wood working, only on the the finished product.
peter chin on April 17, 2015 at 12:22 pm
As marvelous as our imaginations are, they pale in comparison to what God is actually able to do!
Roxanne Robbins on April 17, 2015 at 6:37 am
Words and claims certainly mean more when actions and experiences back them up. If Paul had boasted about being content in all things without the trials he’d endured, his claims would have fallen empty. Meeting believers that have endured hardship and suffering and still profess of God’s faithfulness and goodness testify to the power of truth of the Lord enables us to take heart even in a world full of troubles.
peter chin on April 17, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Amen – all the more reason that we shouldn’t hide experiences of hardship and suffering, for those experiences are the ones that demonstrate the full extent of God’s power.
Tom Felten on April 17, 2015 at 8:13 am
Sitting with a dear friend whose wife is having open heart surgery . . . your words and God’s Word have encouraged us both this morning!
peter chin on April 17, 2015 at 12:24 pm
praying for her – Lord, guide the surgeon’s hands with your own, and restore health and life!
Mike Wittmer on April 17, 2015 at 10:32 am
This week a friend told me that losing their daughter at childbirth was the worst experience ever and yet in some ways the best. He was never so upset with God, and yet never so close to him. There is a deep mystery here, how Jesus becomes most precious to us in our darkest moments.
peter chin on April 17, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Absolutely. After all, what does “salvation” really mean to someone who doesn’t feel they need to be saved?
Winn Collier on April 27, 2015 at 12:27 pm
I believe that walking through difficulties and fears without finally giving yourself over to anxiety is one of the deep signs of the Spirit.