Saturday, October 5, 2013
Psalm 22:25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
TESTED OR TEMPTED? GOD'S HOUSE IS MY HAVEN!
I've been asking lately if people remember what their confirmation verse was back when they were confirmed. So far the remembrance percentage has been much less than 50% I'd say. On confirmation Sunday, a confirmation verse is after all only a tradition. However, it is not just a tradition to remind us of the day we affirmed our faith, but it is a verse that may help us remember what we promised before God: that we would rather suffer all, even death, than fall away from the faith we profess on this day. That's a pretty important promise we make to the Lord. I'd put it on par with wedding vows that are made, which are made to the Lord as well.
Our promise to be faithful to the Lord is one we have fallen short of because of our sins. Neglect, carelessness, and stubborn behaviors all contradict what God intends us to be as His children. Yet He provides loving care when He teaches us about the vows HE has made to US! Paul told Timothy of God's faithfulness saying, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). We're reminded of the joy we have in Christ's victory over sin, death, and hell when He promised, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3).
Because of this great joy, we run the race of faith in this short life remembering our vows as well as the Lord's. It gives us perspective as in Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"
A confirmation verse reminds us of God's promises to us for this life as we look forward to the promise of eternal life with our Lord and Savior. Do you remember your confirmation verse?
