The “Blessed Assurance of God”
My mom is a retired school bus driver, and over the years of driving to and from the school buildings, carrying the students to and fro, many notes have been written—by my mom. Now, maybe that statement just seems odd, but today, in considering a question about God, immediately, my mind was drawn to my mom’s hands, seeing them in my mind, gripping the steering wheel of her yellow bus.
See this image with me. See the hands of my mom wrapped around the oversized steering wheel of her yellow school bus. See my mom turn the steering wheel this way and that way as she drives the children to and from school each day.
It is there—on the many drives to and from school—where we pause to see the HANDS.
You see, my mom is a busy lady (or she was during that season of life). Mom had a full-time career, was a full-time wife, and was a full-time mother, so whenever a thought came to her mind, she knew that she better make a note or she just might forget the thought before the bus route ended.
See a mom’s hands wrapped firmly around the bus steering wheel and see those same hands inked with words (written on the top of her left hand). What words? I do not remember the words, but what I do remember is that she always returned home with words inked on top of her left hand. As she drove her route each day, she kept a pen close beside her, so whenever a thought came to her, mom would write a key word upon the TOP of her left hand. I suppose she did this so that she could release that remembrance and continue concentrating on her mission: delivering the children to school or to their homes. It is with that image that God’s Word spoke today.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child
And have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; . . .”
(Isaiah 49: 15-16a)
I am a mom, just like my mom. Maybe you are too, a mom (or a dad or a sister or a brother or an aunt or an uncle or a grandparent). As such, we may become so busy with the cares of the day that we might find ourselves not thinking of the children who have been entrusted to our care.
God is not like us!
God never forgets!
God knows the names of His children!
How can we be sure—that God will always remember His own?
God has inscribed the names of His Children upon the PALMS of His hands!
The psalmist David wrote these words to remind us from where our “Blessed Assurance” comes.
“My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”
(Psalm 62: 1-2)
There are only two groups of people—worldwide:
- A Person is God’s Child.
- A Person is Not God’s Child.
Nevertheless, a person can find himself in one of these categories:
- Someone is saved & he KNOWS IT IS SO!
- Someone “thinks” he is saved, but the fruit of his life does not prove it so.
- Someone does not claim Jesus as Savior & Lord & remains lost.
- Someone does not know Jesus as Savior & Lord, but he would like to know God.
God is faithful & will keep His promises!
God’s gift of salvation is available to all people.
A person can trust God for eternal life and receive the “blessed assurance” today.
How—A person must first believe in God’s Son & accept Him as Savior.
This is the true testimony of God.
This is the eternal life God has provided.
The beloved apostle of Jesus wrote to help us remember & know. See with me one final passage from God’s Word—& KNOW with “Blessed Assurance” the TRUTH.
“If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.
The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
(1 John 5: 9-13)
Life or Not—The “Blessed Assurance of God.”
If we have believed in Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God—then we have life & not just life here but eternal life. . . . . . . . . . FOREVERMORE within GOD’S PRESENCE.
Let us look at God’s mighty hands and be reminded—We are HIS!
How can we KNOW that we KNOW that we KNOW?!!!
The proof is written upon the palms of God’s hands.
Thank You, God.
Yes, Thank You, Father, for this reminder, for the security we know as we recall the day You saved us and made us whole.
Thank You for writing each one of our names upon Your hands.
Thank You for Your Promise. It is a Most Blessed Assurance—found only in You!
Amen.