Assurance In The Storm

By: R. AuBuchon Jr.

Sometimes we think of God as the author of all the things that go wrong in our lives. The following story is used to illustrate this concept.

Kirk was having one of those bad days where everything seems to go wrong. One thing after another until, at the close of the day, he lay in bed absolutely exhausted. As he thought over the day he became more and more upset until he finally blurted out, "Why me, God? Why does everything always go wrong for me?" Suddenly the ceiling of his room was pulled back and a huge hand with an outstretched finger came down and poked him on the chest and a loud majestic voice thundered, "Because you bug me, Kirk." (AutoIllustrartor)

When the storms of life hit … those times when questions gather in our minds like a brewing storm on horizon … we tend to feel apprehension rather than assurance as we ask:

· Why did this have to happen? (past)

· What am I / are we going to do now? (present)

· Who is going to take care of me/us? (future)

Assurance in the midst of the storm is sometimes a rare commodity.

Isaiah & Co were facing times that to the average eye and heart appeared most insecure. Babylon the big boy on the block was flexing its muscle and making known its power. It was an unsettled time for those who put their trust and hope in man.

They might have been asking, like you and me, "What is assurance and where is it?"

Assurance: a statement or indication that inspires confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty

In a time that appears uncertain … we need an assurance that not only holds us, but prods us to go on.

1. Factual Assurance

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Fact: information presented as objectively real; demonstrable (capable of being demonstrated or proved) existence

Isaiah wasn’t looking to man for assurance for he was facing a time when nobody but the Lord would do.

A hurricane had struck. People were huddled together. A preacher was praying with great oratorical effects in the midst of this violent storm, crying out "Send us the spirit of the children of Israel, the children of Moses, the children of the Promised land." At this, an old man with less oratory but more directness prayed, "Lord, don’t send nobody. Come yourself. This ain’t no time for children." (AutoIllustrator)

Throughout the Scriptures God declares Himself as our God … "I Am the Lord your God." But there must come from our hearts a declaration to the fact that He is our God!

Isaiah makes this factual declaration of truth … O LORD, You are my God. Isaiah was assured that God was objectively real and capable of demonstrating His existence among the people.

From that factual declaration comes the assurance of the will, wonder and words of life.

· Will of Life

- I will exalt … to rise or raise up

- I will praise … to lift the hands (pos) … to wring the hands (neg) … carries the aspect of worship (worth).

Whatever the heart is filled with the hands will follow and do.

Isaiah 61:3b The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

· Wonder of Life

- Selecting me … Acts 22:14 (chosen to know, see, hear)

Acts 22:14 "Then he said, ’The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.

- Saving me … Luke 19:10 (seek & save lost)

- Securing me … 2 Tim 1:12 (He is able to keep)

· Words of Life

Isaiah 25:1c Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

- Faithful … trustworthy, steady & stable

- True … certain with assurance; to be believed

God placed on my heart this past week this thought … "God is able, if I am faithful."

God is able … I declare it true. But if I am not faithful to Him (His Word) I limit His able ability to work in and through me.

- Able to deliver (Daniel 3:17)

- Able to raise up stones to praise Him (Matt3:9)

- Able to keep us in His hand (John 10:29)

- Able to build you up (Acts 20:32)

- Able to make grace abound (2 Cor 9:8)

- Able to do abundantly exceedingly above (Eph 3:20)

- Able to aid the tempted (Heb 2:18)

- Able to keep you from stumbling (Jude 24)

For these to be mine and yours we must remain faithful to Him who is able. The best laid plans of man are no match for the words and work of God in us.