Trusting in God’s Promises

Saturday, July 13, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,”

Acts 18:9-12

One of the great missionary leaders of the 1800s was Hudson Taylor. He first sailed from England as a missionary to China in 1853. Twelve years later, he sensed God was calling him to invite many more missionaries to serve in China with him. But he wrestled greatly over this decision because he was afraid of what would happen should he prove to be insufficient for the task. The conflict within, only grew until he came to a point of trust and surrender. Taylor described that moment: “On Sunday, June 25th, 1865, unable to bear the sight of a congregation of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security, while millions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wandered out on the sands alone, in great spiritual agony; and there the Lord conquered my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to God for this service. Need I say that peace at once flowed into my burdened heart?”

The promises of God are not given to us merely to admire, but to claim. We have a mission and assignment from Jesus to reach the entire world with the gospel. This is not a simple task. In fact, Jesus Himself told us that it would be difficult. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We cannot in our own strength and power accomplish what God has set before us. He does not intend that we should. It is in our faith to claim His promised power that we are able to face obstacles, challenges and persecutions while remaining faithful to our task.

Today's Growth Principle: 

If we truly believe God’s precious promises, we will be bold in our witness of Him.