OPINION: HARRY MARTINEZ: God's promises endure despite today's troubles

Kevin Hall, The Moultrie Observer, Ga.
·4 min read

Mar. 13—Things just don't always go as planned on some days. In fact, that seems to be a frequent occurrence. Late for an appointment, we press the accelerator down more only to be stopped for speeding. Did that freight train have to stop in the middle of the crossing to rearrange its cars? Frustration results and the thought may not cross one's mind that ... "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails" (Prov 19:21 NIV).

This verse is particularly comforting to anyone who has placed their faith in Christ. One's best plans, well intended, and at times, [other than speeding] free of any wrong doing, still go array. Yet, the Christian is commanded to ... "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (|Eph 5:19b-20 NIV). The Apostle Paul writes ... "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess 5:16-18 NIV).

Such a response to circumstances is possible when a believer in Christ fulfils the mandate ... "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." That command is accomplished when there is no unconfessed sin in the believer's life. John wrote to his congregation, for which he expressed great love, of God's remedy for cleansing whereby a Christian could maintain a spiritual walk, under the filling of the Spirit. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Failure to be in fellowship with the Spirit results in unanswered prayer and violates the commands to ... "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19 KJV) ... "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30 KJV). Failure on the part of the Christian to confess their sins results in a lack of inner peace, happiness and the ability to recall to mind God's promises that sustain a believer through the circumstances of life.

Jeremiah, God's prophet to Israel, while meditating on the One in whom he had placed his faith said ... "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope [confidence]. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him" (Lam 3:21-25 NIV). He had learned the Word of God and could face confidently whatever God purposed for him.

This was Jeremiah's attitude as he preached of God's coming judgment on the nation and then its deliverance. "This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile" (Jer 29:10-14 NIV). Centuries later, Peter encouraged Jewish believers in Christ with these words ... "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5: 7 NIV) ... "and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7 NIV).

Harry Martinez, a resident of Albany, is a retired minister who served a nondenominational congregation in Florida. His weekly column appears in several South Georgia newspapers.