“‘Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest, and I am the least in my father’s house.’ And the Lord said to Gideon, ‘But I will be with you.’” Judges 6:15–16

“…they are weak, but he is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me…
The Bible tells me so.”

The (precious) Old Testament.

“They were written down for our instruction.” 1 Corinthians 10:11

“It was revealed to the prophets that they were serving not themselves but you.” 1 Peter 1:12

“Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.” Romans 15:4

“Fill their faces with shame,
that they may seek your name, O Lord.” Psalm 83:16

There is a holy, hopeful kind of shame.

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 9:25

The final happiness of triumph over sin and Satan never fades.

If your first desire for ministry meets with, No.

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

“If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:13

This is what freedom looks like.

“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:41

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

So are wind and sea.

They still obey.

“Not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you.” Joshua 23:14

This will one day be said of every precious promise we live by.

“The present form of this world is passing away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31

Hold it loosely.

“You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23

Owned by Christ and no other.

So it will be with every promise.

Trust him.

“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45

O Lord, cause every Christian prayer, at heart, to be “Hallowed be thy name!”

“Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for your name’s sake!” Psalm 79:9

Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:35

Earthly families are precious.

They are not primary.

“The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 1 Corinthians 6:13

For the body.

He will raise it from death.

He will make it glorious.

Chapter 15 is coming.

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:11–12

Remember.
Ponder.
Meditate.

Become in life what you are in Christ.

“Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” 1 Corinthians 5:7

Join us tomorrow (April 11) at 7:00PM at Bethlehem Baptist Church for a free lecture by Zach Howard, Dean of College Programs & Assistant Professor of Theology and Humanities at Bethlehem College and Seminary on “Augustine Against Neo-Stoics.”

bcsmn.edu/lectures/

“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.” 1 Corinthians 4:12–13

“The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Mark 2:10

“Not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.” Psalm 75:6–7

If you are down, look to him.

If you are up, look to him.