As we continue our thoughts from last week, we want to encourage ourselves in the LORD our God as David did (1 Sam. 30.6). Again, the things written aforetime were written for our learning and we should take these lessons and apply them to our benefit and God’s glory (Rom. 15.4). Just as the children of God relied upon Him keeping His word with them, we are training ourselves to rely upon Him as well. Will we put forth the effort to trust Him concerning His promises? Will we encourage one another to hold fast to the confession of our faith?

When should we begin increasing our reliance upon the promises of God? Today is the obvious answer. The Hebrews author said these fine words: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts” (Heb. 4.7). Today is the day for us to “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Heb. 2.1). The promise of life with God and the heavenly host should encourage us to be mindful of the need to explore the truth and do it. This should remind us of Ezra and his willingness to, “prepare his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7.10). This is just one of many ways to continue our journey on the path called Christianity.

We can also show the God of heaven how much we trust Him by keeping our minds and hearts on His Son and spiritual things. As we have the hope of eternal life with God, it should go without saying that it will require us being focused on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12.2). We should be truly attempting to know Him as Paul did and genuinely being the person who strives to die daily (Phil. 3.9-10; 1 Cor. 15.31). We all understand or should seek to understand the gravity of believing God and taking Him at His word. Are we increasing our reliance upon the Father and His blessed Son? With this being said, we have to keep in mind the heavenly calling of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Speaking of the heavenly calling of Jesus Christ, it would behoove us to take a short perusal through holy writ concerning that very point. The gospel is God’s calling agent today and will continue to be till Jesus returns (2 Thess. 2.14). Paul, as he comments about the resurrection by inspiration, encouraged the Philippians to press towards the mark and called it, “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3.14). This holy calling would be, “according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Tim. 1.9). Since we have such great promises from and of our God, it would be in our best interest to, “be even more diligent to make our call and election sure” (2 Pet. 1.10). The gospel of Christ is more than enough of a reason to increase our trust in God and spread the good news to San Angelo.

Unfortunately many will not grow in their faith and will be like those coming out of Egyptian bondage. When we fail to increase our love, trust and confidence in God and His will, it leaves us disconnected, discouraged and ultimately destroyed from sin. Because the word of God was not mixed with faith, many of God’s people did not make it to the promised land (Heb. 4.1-2). They came short of the rest set before them and died in the wilderness. We can increase our reliance upon the promise of rest by simply continuing to BELIEVE. Let’s seek opportunities to read and understand the will of the Lord (Eph. 3.4; 5.17). Understanding the promises of God will encourage us, enhance our faith and position us to entrust our souls to our Father in heaven.

So what are some of the promises set before us to consider? We have the promise of seeing God one day (Rev. 22.4). Keep in mind that no one has ever seen God at any time (Exo. 33.20). Those who continue to have faith and believe God will enjoy the pleasures of glory while securing the right to the tree of life (Rev. 22.14). These are some of the many promises given by God for the peace of mind of those who desire to take advantage of the spiritual opportunity to live forever with Him. Let us be mindful of the blessings of Christianity and be aware of the prize before us on a daily basis. May God bless us to be trustworthy and faithful till the end (Rev. 2.10).