Psalm 27:13-14

THE SCRIPTURES - OUR RULE OF FAITH AND PRACTICE

We must never imagine that all that our Lord did and said is recorded in the Bible or in any other book. If all the miracles He did, sermons He preach­ed, works He performed, and words He spoke had been written in books, John said, "The world itself could not contain the books that must be written" (John 21:25); for He is from everlasting to everlasting.

However, God has been pleased to have written ALL THAT IS NECESSARY and needful for us to know concerning the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we may know Him, believe Him, and find in Him eternal life and glory. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (bulletin 1993)

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble” (Psalm 37:39).

What glorious and blessed truth that shines on every page of Holy Scripture. We as needy, great and guilty sinners need a mighty and victorious Saviour, who is almighty to save (Isa. 63:1; Heb. 7:25). The Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer and remedy for our sin. He is the Saviour that saves (Matt. 1:21), the Redeemer that delivers and justifies from all guilt (Gal. 1:3-5; Rom. 5:6).

What a full and complete revelation God gives of His, so great salvation…it is ALL of the Lord (Heb. 2:3).

Notice each of these five words:

1). Salvation; is the total and complete deliverance from all our sin. From the penalty, guilt and power of sin to condemn us (Rom. 8:1; 32-35).

2). Salvation IS; because our great God is the God of salvation. God is love (1 John 4:8-10). God is good (Psalm 73:1). God is merciful and delights to show it to sinners (Micah 7:18-19; 1 Tim. 1:15).

3). Salvation is OF; not of works, not of merit, not of the law but rather all of grace alone (2 Cor. 8:9; Acts 15:11; 2 Tim. 1:9).

4). Salvation is of THE Lord, there is just one way of salvation. Our Lord plainly said that He is The Way, The Truth, The Life, The Door, The Light, The Bread of life, The Good Shepherd, and The Resurrection (John 14:6; 10:9; 8:12; 6:35; 11:25).

5). Salvation is of the LORD; the Lord Jesus Christ. It is who He is that gives infinite power to what He accomplished for us upon the cross (Acts 20:28). Christ crucified is the only sacrifice for sin (1 Cor. 2:2). The Lord did not die to make an effort to put away sin but rather to make complete atonement for sin of His people that God might be the just God and Saviour (1 John 4:10; John 19:30).

BE OF GOOD CHEER

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matt. 14:27).

These words were spoken by our Lord when His disciples were tossed about in a violent storm upon the sea. He came to them walking upon the boisterous waves to comfort them in their time of trial and said, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." They took great comfort in His words and in His presence.

Let me encourage you who believe the gospel of Christ to take comfort in His word and in His presence and to be of "Good cheer." No matter what the day may hold, we know who holds the day. No matter how bleak the outcome may seem, no matter how severe the pain may be, no matter how hopeless the situation appears to be, "Be of good cheer." If you belong to Christ in the eternal covenant of mercy (Heb. 13:20), if you are purchased by His blood redemption (Eph. 1:7), if you are called by His effectual grace (2Tim. 1:9), you have every reason to "Be of good cheer." Our sovereign Lord controls all things in our lives and is in charge over all aspects (Rom. 11:36).

Search the scripture and see if this is not true! "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). God said, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice" (Phil. 4:4).

Our Lord told the man who was paralyzed, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). He told the woman with issue of blood, "Daughter, be of good comfort (good cheer): thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (Luke 8:48). He told the disciples on another occasion that they would have trouble; but He added, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:32-33). When Paul was in the most perplexing of circumstances, so far as outward evidence was concerned; all hope of being delivered from the raging sea was gone. Yet, he found cause to rejoice and reason to hope; "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25).