Assurance

Scripture exposes us to different ‘shades’ of God. What I mean by this is that in Scripture, God presents His multifacetedness in a manner that allows us to be able to relate with Him confidently.

For example, when it comes to the possibilities of our lives, Scripture doesn’t just project the power of God, but shows forth the faithfulness of God as a basis for our believing.

[15] And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
[16] Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

1 Kings 8:15-16

My emphasis will be in verse 15, and I intend to bring to our consideration two things.

First; That which God spake with His mouth. This is largely where it all begins, with that which God has said. So in Scripture we find a compilation of the speakings of God. We find promises, principles, prophesies and so on. God does not want us to be in doubt about what he can or can not do. He doesn’t want us to be wishful thinkers. So whenever He comes, He speaks. He sends His Word.

But then, now that we know what He has done before, what He is capable of doing and what He wants to do now in and through our lives. But quietly, there is the question that almost reflexively pops up in our hearts. It might be subtle but it is often there. It is the question of Mary: “How shall these things be?”

This is not always a question of unbelief, not always a reflection of doubt. Often time, it is because even though God has spoken, we often find ourselves looking inward or around for factors that support or can bring about that which God said. If we leave our gaze upon these things in a manner that starts to cast shadows upon that which God has said, this can then lead to doubt.

So, how does God carry out that which he has said? Here, Solomon advances an answer and our second consideration. He calls it The Hand Of God.

He said: and hath with His hand fulfilled it. God fulfills that which He says with His hand. I don’t think anyone who reads this should limit that to the work of a literal hand. I think that what this means is that God takes sole responsibility for the performance of His Word, such that regardless of how it plays our in our experience, it is the working of the hand of God.

The hand of God will do anything that the mouth of God says. The only thing that the hand of God cannot do is that which the mouth of God has not said.

This is then a critical component of our faith engagement. That God can and is totally committed to the performance of that which He has said. God is willing. God is capable. God is able.

We can rest on this.