WHEN JESUS SUFFERED – HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF part 1
“…he entrusted himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).
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The ability to trust is established in childhood during the caregiver and infant bond. A loving caregiver shapes the young infant for future trusting relationships by behaving in a trusting manner themselves. There is a different between trust and entrust.
When you trust someone you believe they are reliable, upright, authentic, honorable, and safe. However, when you entrust yourself to someone you personally give over to them, willingly and voluntarily, the responsibility of your total care, BECAUSE you deem them trustworthy.
Your ability to trust people starts to take shape before you talk, walk, or do anything else. It’s amazing how God sends the infant into the world with two unique abilities: to elicit love and to receive it.
Unbeknown to the infant, their first attachment will determine their ability to form trusting relationships for the rest of their lives.
The infant will learn to trust in the mutual relationship they ideally share with their caregiver. Mutuality is a trusting attachment in action, where infant and caregiver equally participate in intimate behaviors that contribute to the relationship.
Miraculously, a baby is born with God-given attachment abilities to both elicit a respond from their caregivers and to respond back to their caregiver’s stimuli.
These “elicit and response” attachment abilities will build trust between the infant and caregiver. In an ideal situation, the caregiver lovingly provides for the infant’s needs in a way that forms a trusting bond.
Both the infant and the caregiver, ideally, contribute to the interactions, which will strengthen and reinforce this trusting bond.
Although, the infant and caregiver have different roles, both are equally important.
The caregiver, however, initially has the greater responsibility for forming the trusting bond by paying attention to the infant’s needs, especially when he or she “elicits a response” from them.
Trust is established whenever the infant elicits a response and the caregiver lovingly responds. Normally, the infant will elicit a response by making vocal sounds, showing emotions, or through body language. The caregiver responds through feeding, calming, soothing, comforting, or touching behaviors.
The caregiver lovingly communicates to the infant that they can be trusted to meet their needs. Most caregivers joyfully and lovingly meet the needs of their infant. It usually feels good to be needed.
When people around you have a need and you can meet that need, in the moment, it makes you feel like you have a purpose and are needed.
Thus, the infant’s needs give the caregiver purpose and makes them feel needed and useful. Genuine need is a building block for intimacy in a trusting attachment between two humans.
The infant learns, at this very tender age, to trust another person to meet their needs. Infants have nothing much else to pay attention to, but the relationship with their caregiver. They are focused on one specific task, bonding with their caregiver. What they focus on becomes their experience.
When the caregiver meets the needs of the infant it teaches them their needs are important and SOMEBODY CARES. This is how the infant learns “LOVE” will meet my needs and I can trust “LOVE”
Meeting another person’s needs is the deepest expression of love. Need builds intimacy and ultimately TRUST. Remember, when you trust someone you have come to believe they are reliable, upright, authentic, honorable, and safe.
You have also come to depend upon their reliability, uprightness, authenticity, honorable nature, and safe character.
In addition, when you come to place where you have decided to entrust yourself to someone you have chosen to personally give them the responsibility of your total care, BECAUSE you deem them trustworthy.
“…if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself (gave over his total care) to him (God, the Holy Spirit) who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). While going through a “season of suffering,” Jesus made a decision to, willfully and voluntarily, entrust himself to God.
Therefore, Christ displayed the “fruit of the Spirit...longsuffering” through mistreatments, insults, injustices, unfairness, etc. with restful contentment. “…[Jesus]... learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [Jesus, in the days of his flesh, knew]… what it ,,,[was]... to be in need, and …what it ...[was]...to have plenty... [Jesus]… learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). Jesus KNEW “...God (his Father had) ...said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “... BE STRONG and of good courage, FEAR NOT, “NOR” BE AFRAID of them (problems, issues, trials, tribulations, concerns, or any of life’s sudden stresses, etc.): for the Lord thy God, he it is that DOETH GO with thee; he SHALL NOT FAIL thee; “NOR” FORSAKE thee...” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).
Thus, instead of defending himself or threatening revenge, or fighting a fleshly battle, he did something greater; he entrusted himself to the “…righteous judge…”
“…When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself (gave over his total care) to him (God, the Holy Spirit) who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
“…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …you will not even need to fight. Take your positions (of trust and dependency upon God); then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [HIS people]…” (John 14:31 NASB).
“... The Son of God (Jesus, the Word) came to destroy the works of the devil...” (1 John 3:8 NLT). Therefore, “...No weapon that is formed against thee (God’s people) shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “...overwhelming victory is...[theirs]... in christ (in God’s word) ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
Even upon the cross he said, “…Father, into thy hands I commend (I ENTRUST) my spirit…” (Luke 23:46 KJV).
Jesus demonstrated when experience “seasons of suffering”, entrust yourself, FULLY, to God’s loving, righteous, care for you. “…I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit (ENTRUST) my cause…” (Job 5:9 KJV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).
“…[God is]... with … [his people] and will keep … [them] whithersoever [they]… goest…I will not leave [them] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).
.“…the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “… [God has]... loved ...[them]... with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).
“…Love does NO HARM to his neighbor…” (Romans 13:10 NASB). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Christ didn’t let his “season of suffering” ultimately LED him to ENTRUST himself to God. “...Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself (gave over his total care) to him (God, the Holy Spirit) who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
No matter what horrible, horrible things he faced upon earth or the negative things he heard or experienced, Jesus left the consequences, of his TOTAL care, to God. “…He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
Jesus had total faith that God’s righteous justice and trustworthy character was all that was needed to suffice for any and all wrong done to him. “…he [absolutely]… ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
God’s DIVINE nature and GLORY (his presence, goodness, and working power) would ultimately determine Jesus’ fate. Jesus KNEW and was absolutely assured and convinced that since God, who deeply loved him, was FOR HIM it didn’t matter who or what was against him. “...God is [the] refuge and strength [for his people], always ready to help [them] in times of trouble. So [they] will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam ...“[his people will] Be still, and know that [he his their] God ... The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among [them]; the God of Israel is [their] fortress...” (Psalms 46 NLT).
“...No weapon that is formed against ...[God’s people]... shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [his people]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “…He helps ...[his people]…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). . “…If God is for [each of his people], who [or what can be] against [them]? ... …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
Therefore, “…when [Jesus] suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). Upon the cross Jesus said, “…Father, into thy hands I commend (ENTRUST) my spirit…” (Luke 23:46 KJV).
“…When he suffered…” Jesus personally “chose” to entrust himself to God by giving him the responsibility of his total care and the outcome of all his suffering. Jesus absolutely and unequivocally trusted the DIVINE, righteous judge.
Who was this “…righteous judge?” Obviously, Jesus thought the righteous judge was God, the Holy Spirit. Jesus went through a horrendous “season of suffering.” Some people call it the “passion” of Christ.
When you think of passion you think of something that drives or controls you. Something that makes you feel extreme, intense emotions. Passion is a powerful motivator and can energize you to do something that may appear radical to others.
Jesus’ passion drove him to die a hideous death upon the cross. Jesus’ passion and death was the price he was “willing” to pay for lost souls. Jesus’ passion was a witness of the love he had for his Father and the respect for carrying out his will upon earth. He humbly said, “…not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
During his “season of suffering,” no matter what it entailed, he absolutely loved and trusted in God, his heavenly Father.
Jesus went through his “season of suffering” fully aware God was absolutely trustworthy. Jesus came to “… give his life as a ransom for many…” just like his Father in heaven wanted (Matthew 20:28 ASV).
No matter what he suffered, he endured it by placing his life in the hands of his LOVING, trustworthy Father. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my(LOVING) God” (Psalm 31:14 NIV).
Let’s LOOK at some of the things Jesus suffered through while trusting his total care to God, the Father? “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him (abuse). And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe (unjust mistreatment). And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands(more physical abuse)….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe (humiliation). And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him (strangers wanted to criminalize him). Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him (he was innocent and had done nothing wrong). But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him (they wanted to STILL punish him). Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar (his OWN people disclaimed him). Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away (they willingly took him to be hanged upon the cross)…” (John 19:1-16 KJV),
“…And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him…” (John 19: 17-18 KJV).
“..After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:28-30 KJV).
“…The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced…” (John 19:31-37 KJV).
“…And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand…” (John 19:38-42 KJV).
Therefore, “…when [Jesus was suffering through ALL of this], he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). “…Father, into thy hands I commend (ENTRUST) my spirit…” (Luke 23:46 KJV).
“…Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you…” (JOHN 20:19-21 KJV).
Again, Jesus had total TRUST that God’s righteous justice was all that he needed to suffice for ANY and ALL wrong done to him.
To this day, Jesus is “highly exalted” with a “name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). In addition,“…at ...the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (God’s WORD), to the glory (as a witness of the presence, goodness, and working power) of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV).
Job said: “…all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job 14:14 KJV). “…Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” (Job 42:10, 12 KJV).
Your “season of suffering” is unique to you, like Jesus’ suffering was unique to him. Your experiences may be horrible too and just as challenging, to you, as Jesus’ experiences were to him. However, “…if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he ENTRUSTED himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
“…In the [FALLEN] world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world…” (John 16:33 KJV). “...Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have OVERCOME the world…” (John 16:33 NLT).
Other biblical examples are: Job, who lost family, renown, wealth, and his health. Joseph, who was thrown into a pit and forced to grow up, as a slave, with foreign strangers. The Hebrew boys, who were thrown into the fiery furnace. Jesus, who, of course, was beaten, insulted, and hung upon a cross like a criminal.
Many of God’s people, during “seasons of suffering,” have lost significant love ones through suicide, sickness, murder, divorce, and abandonment.
Others have faced abuse, failure, rejection, broken dreams, lost jobs, long-term disabilities, loneliness, and have had a host of almost unspeakable and unbearable experiences.
It’s the details of those experiences that often rock you to the core. Job had to see each one of his dead children and bury them one by one. Joseph was alienated for the family and life, he knew, for over 13 years. The Hebrew boys were actually thrown INTO a VERY, VERY hot and fiery furnace for standing up for their faith.
Jesus was beaten and whipped by the Roman soldiers SO BAD he was unrecognizable. “…Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—“ (Isaiah 52:14 NIV).
“…he [was] wounded for [his people’s] transgressions, [he was] bruised for [their] iniquities: the chastisement of [their] peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes [his people] are healed…” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV).
“…Christ ...hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring [God’s people BACK]... to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit…”(1 Peter 3:18 KJV).
Therefore, God “…in his kindness [God has]…called [his people back to reunite with his Spirit in order for them] to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
There is just no way around it; “seasons of suffering” will be a part of this earthly journey whether we like it or not. God’s people were sent to a FALLEN world. “…In this [fallen] world [God’s people] shall have tribulation: but [they can] be of good cheer, [God has]… OVERCOME the world…” (John 16:33 KJV).
The victories in the stories of Job, Joseph, the Hebrew boys, Lazarus, Jesus, and the little girl are encouraging; but THEY “STILL” had to go through “seasons of suffering”. “…after YOU (God’s people) have suffered a little while…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).
Unfortunately, “…In this [fallen] world ye shall have tribulation…” (John 16:33 KJV). God doesn’t discriminate. God “…spared not his own Son, [from suffering,] but delivered him up for us all…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).
God’s people will have “seasons of suffering.” “..For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them...” (Ecclesiastes 9:12 KJV).
“…The same destiny overtakes all … time and chance happen to them all so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them…” (Ecclesiastes 9 NIV).
However, for God’s people, during “seasons of suffering,” there is GOD, the Holy Spirit, his indwelling HOPE, his indwelling HELP and his indwelling POWER. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in [God’s people]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the...[indwelling]... Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “…God, [the Holy Spirit is]... the source of HOPE, [and] will fill you completely.... Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the [indwelling] ...Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NLT).
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things [or these “seasons of suffering”]…? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV). God is a God of love. He doesn’t stop being loving because you are going through a “season of suffering.
God’s love for his people is just as deep in their “seasons of suffering” as in their “days of ease.” “…What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?...Who will separate us from the love of [Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...[NO] …But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. …[Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
The bible says God is ALWAYS with his people. “…God’s Spirit dwells in you (his people)?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). God will “…never leave nor forsake you (his people)… …” (Hebrews 13:5).
No matter what they are going through or how long, God’s “…..lovingkindness endureth for ever…” (Psalm 106:1, Psalm 100:5, 1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV).“…Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).
God’s love is and has been persistent throughout the days, weeks, months, or years of your “season of suffering.” God guarantees that “….neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate [you]… from the love of God which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV). It may not seem like it, but “….the…faithful love of the Lord, [for you], never ends...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).
Even if you’ve blamed God, gotten angry with him and haven’t been faithful to him during your “season of suffering” his love for YOU is patient, longsuffering, and remains faithful. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “… he remains faithful [during “seasons of suffering”], for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
Thankfully, God’s love “…endureth all things… [and] endureth forever” (1 Corinthians 13:7 & Psalm 106:1). “…His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods….His faithful love endures forever……His faithful love endures forever…” (Psalm 136:1-3 NLT). “… he remains faithful …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
God’s love is also kind and “….God careth for you… (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…How great is [God’s benevolent kindness], which [He lays] up for them that fear [Him]… [or] for them that take refuge in [Him]…” (Psalm 31:19-20 KJV). During your “season of suffering” “….he is good [qne deeply caring]... “ALL” the time...’ (1 Chronicles 16:34, Ezra 3:11, and Psalm 107).
God’s people can be assured that HIS kindness is immutably “...tenderhearted… [and]… forgiving…” (Ephesian 4:32 KJV).
Like it or not, God’s “...goodness and lovingkindness [will]… follow [you]… all the days of [your]… life…” (Psalm 23:6 KJV). In other words, God’s very presence is kind. His care “runneth over” for you (Psalm 23:5). “...For [the Lord] blesses the righteous, [and surrounds] him with favor as with a shield...” (Psalm 5:12 ASV).
"...Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest, and will bring …[you] again into this land. For I will not leave [you]… until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “… he remains faithful …” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
God’s love is never rude, but polite and courteous. God treats those he loves with the utmost respect and dignity, during their “seasons of suffering.” God will always demonstrate good manners towards his people, even if they make mistakes or are rude towards Him.
Because of grace, God’s love will not treat you according to your wrongs towards Him. Instead of rudeness, God reacts with amazing grace. Even if you do something that deserves a rude response, God’s grace will always direct him to treat you with politeness.
Grace is a core characteristic of God.
God’s love is not self-seeking, but self-sacrificing. You already know that God gave his only begotten Son to save your life from the destruction of sin (John 3:16).
When you give up your life through the “…death…” of self, like Christ’s“…death of the cross…” it’s the truest example of self-sacrificing love (Philippians 2:7 KJV). Jesus “….Christ pleased not himself…” (Romans 15:3 KJV). “...Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends..” (John 15:13 KJV).
God’s love is not easily provoked or easily angered, but peaceful. God remains calm and peaceful at all times. God handles our mistakes and short-comings without exhibiting an instant angry or condemning response; which is usually common in humanity. “…Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV). “….mercy triumphs over judgement…” (James 2:13 NASB)
God chooses to peacefully “... [cover]…a multitude of sins [with love]…” (1 Peter 4:8 ASV). God is extremely “…slow to anger [because He is] abundant in lovingkindness and truth….” (Psalm 86:15 ASV). “...And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 ASV).
God’s love does not keep a record of wrongs. Jesus asked God to erase your record of wrongs. He said, “…Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34 KJV). God’s love “…blotteth out …[your] transgression and remember not… [your] sins… (Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 8:12, 10:17 ASV).
God’s love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in truth. God finds happiness in what is right and holy and not the opposite. God only delights in truth and rejoices when the truth is “…in …[your] inward parts…” (Psalm 51:6 KJV).God “…..hath no pleasure in wickedness [or unrighteousness]…. (Psalm 5:4 KJV).
God’s love bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. God’s only agenda is love and nothing else. God’s love holds up under a mountain of offenses, betrayals, unfaithfulness, dishonor, disrespect, untrustworthiness, and evils of all kinds, and his love compels him to “…cover the multitude [of his people’s]…sins…” (1 Peter 4:8 KJV).
God’s love will NEVER fail or end, but goes on eternally. Because“…iniquity shall abound..., [people will find their]… love [for others] shall wax cold…” (Matthew 24:12 KJV). God’s love will never wax cold. He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). There is “…[No]….greater love…than this…”(John 15:13 KJV).
God is a GOOD God. “…for the lord is GOOD…” (Psalm 100:5 KJV). “Thou are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…Oh how great is thy GOODNESS…” (Psalm 31:19 KJV). “…for he is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “..The lord is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 KJV). “…GOOD and upright is the Lord…” (Psalm 25:8 KJV). “…For thou, Lord, is GOOD…” (Psalm 86:5 KJV).
God’s gives his Word to Bless you during a “season of suffering.” “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward …” (Psalm 19:7-11 NASB).
“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).
God empowers HOPE. “…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
“…all things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).
“…[You]…will receive NOW in return (in this life) a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).
“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).
God HELPS his people. “…be content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest… For I will not leave [you]… until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail (leave) thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).
“…for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you…” (Deuteronomy 20:4 NASB).
“…obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God” (Acts 18:9-11 NIV).
“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).
God encourages his people to be HUMBLE people. “…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).
“…God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble…”(James 4:6 NIV).
“...For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith…”(Romans 12:3 NIV).
“...Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). “.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
“…but in lowliness of mind (humility) let each esteem other better than themselves… [Jesus] made himself of no reputation and took upon him[self] the form of a servant…” Philippian 2:3, 7 KJV).
“…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted…” (Luke 18:14 ASV).
“…but in lowliness of mind (humility) let each esteem other better than themselves…” Philippian 2:3, 7 KJV).
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10 KJV).
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time…”(1 Peter 5:6 KJV).
“…it is God which worketh in [them]… both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
“…That [God]… would grant [them]… according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…”(Ephesians 3:16 KJV).
YOU “…can do all things [only] through Christ which strengtheneth [YOU]….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV.
Therefore, “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me (learn from the Living Word), for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls...” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).
“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).
Humility is a very important characteristic to God. And like Jesus came to “…to give His life a ransom for many…” and single-mindedly kept that focus (Matthew 20:28 NIV).
All of God’s people came to earth and were called to single-mindedly be “…conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:28). Jesus said, “…I am gentle and humble in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).
Jesus “…humbled himself, and (HOW?) “became” obedient unto death...” (Philippians 2:8 KJV). Again, Jesus said, “...Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 KJV).
“…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). The verse says, to God’s people, before prayer, before seeking him and before repentance, “humble” yourself.
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