The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:5–7)Last night our church had a prayer gathering. I wound up in a small group that included the mother and her daughter whose life is in turmoil. Mom needed assurance and daughter needed to know that the Lord would not give up on her. Those who prayed wanted to convey the love and power of God to these two and give them hope. While we didn’t use all the verses in today’s devotions, the Lord gave us what we prayed for, and affirms this to me today. He says:
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:18)
Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. (Jeremiah 32:37–40)The love of Christ is our surety for He will never give up on us, no matter what we do. He said:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved… In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3–14)
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:37–40)Whatever God required for our salvation, Christ agreed to perform for us. He willingly became responsible to God for His people and His work as the Surety of the covenant will not be complete until he presents all God’s elect before Him in glory. He will not fail any one of us.
PRAY: My life and the lives of all who know You are safe in Your care. You keep every promise and love us without measure. Grace overrides performance. We cannot do it ourselves. You stand in our place and You died for all, giving not only security and eternal hope, but also deep joy and peace. Your commitment to Your people is the most precious gift of all.
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