"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11
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John 15:4-5 - Jesus Christ Our Mediator:
Trusting His Power and Mercy in Critical Times

(4) Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

(9) O my Strength, I will watch {and} give heed to You {and} sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower). (10) My God in His mercy {and} steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look [triumphantly] on my enemies (those who lie in wait for me).

(16) But I will sing of Your mighty strength {and} power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy {and} loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress. (17) Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, {and} High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy {and} steadfast love.

Amplified® Bible copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Jesus Christ is our Mediator (I Timothy 2:5), the connection, the bridge, between God and us. Spiritual enablement flows from God through Him to us. God's power and God's faithfulness are the issues that are of supreme importance to us in these critical times. Are we constantly cognizant of the fact that our salvation lies in His hands? He has the power to save.

Notice how David expressed this in a psalm written during a time of serious trouble for him: "For look, they lie in wait for my life; the mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O LORD" (Psalm 59:3). David feared the threat of murder in a situation in which he was innocent. Verses 9-10 carry his thoughts further: "I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies." Here, David's confidence rises because he believes in God's awareness and strength - which is strong enough to put down nations, let alone a small band of enemies. He also recalls God's mercy toward those who serve Him.

Verses 16-17 show that his thoughts extend one step further: "But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, the God of my mercy." These final two verses summarize why he trusts God, and conclude in a strong affirmation of David's faith. He trusts God because of the combination of God's strengths, His power, combined with His mercy and His will to use them in behalf of those who trust Him.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Power Belongs to God (Part One)



 

Topics:

Calamity

Calculating

Calendar, Civil

Called According to God's Purpose

Christ as Bridge Between God and Us

Christ as Mediator

Confidence

Confidence in God

God's Involvement

God's Strength

Mediator

Mediator, Christ as




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