Column by Sumter Pastor Joey Durham: God proves Himself to us by saving us
Our devotion today is "Confirming the Authority of God's Comfort," and my text is Isaiah 41:10. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (KJV) The fourth promise found in this gold mine of Scripture is "I am thy God" and is actually a declaration of authority to validate the promises given beforehand and yet to come. Now I have to ask the question, "Just who is it making these promises?" This is none other than the Almighty God, and I so am glad that He is my God! From this passage, I can say that, because God Almighty is my God, I don't have to fear any crisis, trouble or difficulty because none will be too strong to overpower Him! When did God confirm Himself as this "authority" to those who have Him as their God?
First, God confirmed Himself to us, or in plainer words, proved Himself to be the Almighty God, when He saved us from our sins and washed us in His own precious blood. In John 1:12, this reality is evidenced in these words, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (KJV) I'm so glad I've received Him as my Savior and Shepherd!
Second, God proves Himself as He works in our life as Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (KJV) Please notice, if you belong to God and love Him, He is working all things for your good and His glory.
Third, God confirms His authority when it's time to die and leave this life as Psalm 23:4 states, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." (KJV)
I've never been up to death's door, but I know when it's time for me to step through, I'll be holding the hand of my Savior! I'm sure there are many today that feel they can "go it alone" without the help and comfort of Almighty God in their life, and that is their prerogative to do so. But as for me and my house, we will glory in the fact that the Almighty God has proven Himself to us time and again and will continue to prove Himself every time that we need His comfort.
Dr. Joey Durham is pastor at Open Bible Baptist Church at 180 Old Manning Road in Sumter. You can contact Pastor Durham at durham.joey@yahoo.com or call the church office at (803) 481-9315.