{"id":2608,"date":"2013-08-24T09:54:23","date_gmt":"2013-08-24T09:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=2608"},"modified":"2013-08-24T09:54:23","modified_gmt":"2013-08-24T09:54:23","slug":"bulletin-edition-183-august-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/?p=2608","title":{"rendered":"Bulletin Edition #183 AUGUST 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE PROMISE<\/strong> <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4<\/p>\n

The friends of your youth are gone, death or distance has stripped you of them. But your God says, “I am he who formed you at first, as a creature; I am he who called you by my grace, into fellowship with my Son; I am he who gave you my Word, that I would never leave you nor forsake you; and I am in the same mind still. I am immutable\u2014there is no change in me. You have changed, I have not. You will change\u2014but I shall not.”<\/p>\n

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime\u2014until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care<\/em> for you. I will carry<\/em> you along and save you!”<\/p>\n

Your God will not only carry your burdens\u2014but he will carry YOU. He laid you like a lamb in his bosom, when he called you by his grace; and he will carry you now you are old; he will never turn away from doing\u00a0 you good\u2014but will rejoice over you to do you good, with his whole heart, and with his whole soul. He will bear with you\u2014though you may sometimes feel fretful, peevish, and ungrateful. He will be with you amidst all your infirmities. He will carry you, not only to <\/em>the Jordan\u2014but over <\/em>it! He has delivered you in six troubles\u2014and in seven he will not forsake you!<\/p>\n

You should look back<\/em> to past deliverances, and then face your present<\/em> difficulty, saying with David, “The Lord, who has <\/em>delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, and out of the mouth of the bear\u2014will yet <\/em>deliver me also from this uncircumcised Philistine!” Or with Paul, “He has <\/em>delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will <\/em>deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue <\/em>to deliver us!” God’s promise\u2014<\/em>is your property<\/em>. Take it, trust it, plead it, and expect it to be made good. Faithful is he who promised, who also will do it. Even though you believe not\u2014yet he abides faithful; for he cannot deny himself. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0James Smith<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Those circumstances, which to the dim eye of Jacob’s faith wore a hue so somber, were at that very moment developing and perfecting the events which were to shed around the evening of his life the halo of a glorious and cloudless sunset.\u00a0 All things were working together for his good! And so, troubled soul, the “much tribulation” will soon be over, and as you enter the “kingdom of God” you shall then see, no longer “through a glass darkly” but in the unshadowed sunlight of the Divine presence, that “all things” did “work together” for your personal and eternal good.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arthur Pink.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

The free love and favor of God, and His unspeakable goodness
\nand mercy manifested in Jesus Christ to poor sinners\u2014is the
\nvery spring and fountain of all evangelical sorrow. Nothing
\nbreaks the heart of a poor sinner like the sight of God’s free
\nlove in Christ, the Redeemer. A man cannot seriously look upon
\nthe firstness, the freeness, the greatness, the unchangeableness,
\nthe everlastingness, and the matchlessness of God’s free favor
\nand love in Christ\u2014with a hard heart, or with dry eyes! It is
\nonly such a love as this, which sets the soul a-mourning and
\na-lamenting over a crucified Christ.— Thomas Brooks.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

An arm that can never be broken!
\n(J. R. Miller, “A Life of Character”)
\n“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms!”<\/em> Deuteronomy 33:27
\nThe picture suggested, is that of a little child, lying in the strong arms of a father who is able to withstand all storms and dangers.
\nAt the two extremes of life, childhood <\/em>and old age<\/em>\u2014this promise comes with special assurance.
\n“He shall gather the lambs <\/em>in His arms, and carry them in His bosom” (Isaiah 40:11), is a word for the children<\/em>.
\n“Even to your old age<\/em> and gray hairs I am He; I am He who will sustain <\/em>you. I have made <\/em>you and I will carry <\/em>you; I will sustain <\/em>you and I will rescue <\/em>you!” (Isaiah 46:4), brings its blessed comfort to the aged.
\nThe thought of God’s embracing arms <\/em>is very suggestive. What does an arm <\/em>represent? What is the thought suggested by the arm of God enfolded around His child? <\/em>
\nOne suggestion, is protection. As a father puts his arm about his child when it is in danger\u2014so God protects His children. Life is full of peril<\/em>. There are temptations <\/em>on every hand! Enemies <\/em>lurk in every shadow\u2014enemies strong and swift! Yet we are assured that nothing can separate us from the love of God. “Underneath are the everlasting arms!”<\/p>\n

Another thought, is affection. The father’s arm drawn around a child\u2014is a token of love<\/em>. The child is held in the father’s bosom, near his heart. The shepherd carries the lambs <\/em>in his bosom. John lay on Jesus’ bosom. The mother holds the child in her bosom, because she loves it. This picture of God embracing His children in His arms\u2014tells of His love for them\u2014His love is tender, close, intimate.
\nAnother thought suggested by an arm, is strength. The arm is a symbol of strength. His arm is omnipotence. “In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength<\/em>” (Isaiah 26:4). His is an arm that can never be broken! Out of this clasp\u2014we can never be taken. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish\u2014ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!” (John 10:28)<\/p>\n

Sometimes we say the waters of trouble <\/em>are very deep; like great floods they roll over us. But still and forever, underneath<\/em> the deepest floods\u2014are these everlasting arms! We cannot sink below them\u2014or out of their clasp!<\/em>
\nThis view of God’s divine care<\/em> is full of inspiration and comfort. We are not saving ourselves<\/em>. A strong One, the mighty God\u2014holds us in His omnipotent clasp!<\/em> We are not tossed like a leaf on life’s wild sea<\/em>\u2014driven at the mercy of wind and wave. We are in divine <\/em>keeping. Our security does not depend upon our own feeble, wavering faith\u2014but upon the omnipotence, the love, and the faithfulness of the unchanging, the eternal God!
\nNo power in the universe can snatch us out of His hands! Neither death nor life, nor things present, nor things to come\u2014can separate us from His<\/em> everlasting arms!<\/em><\/p>\n

—<\/em><\/p>\n

As we grow older
\n(J.R. Miller, “The Glory of the Commonplace”)
\n“Even to your old age and gray hair I am He; I am He who will sustain <\/em>you. I have made <\/em>you and I will carry <\/em>you; I will sustain <\/em>you and I will rescue <\/em>you!” Isaiah 46:4
\nAs we grow older, there should be a constant gaining, never a losing in our spiritual life. Every year should find us living on a higher plane than the year before. Old age should always be the best <\/em>of life, not marked by spiritual emptiness and decay–but by nobler fruitfulness and more gracious beauty. Paul was growing old, when he spoke of forgetting things which are behind, and reaching forth to things ahead. His best was yet to be attained. So it should always be with Christian old age. <\/em>We must ever be turning heavenward, toward nobler life and holier beauty!
\n“The righteous<\/em> will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green!”<\/em> Psalm 92:12-14<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:3,4
\n—<\/p>\n

God is our parent \u2014 a kind and tender-hearted parent. He is peculiarly attached to His people<\/em> \u2014 they are dear to Him, precious in His sight. They are His portion<\/em>. He prizes<\/em> them above all creation. He is strong to sustain, to defend, and support them. His strong arm<\/em>, tender heart<\/em>, and watchful eye<\/em> \u2014 are all employed for them \u2014 and especially so in old age.
\nThe aged believer is as a child<\/em>. He is weak. He feels exposed and defenseless. He is timid and fearful. But the Lord, as a tender parent, engages to take him up in the arms of His power<\/em> \u2014 and carry him in the bosom of His love! <\/em>Like a tender lamb in the shepherd’s bosom, on a cold and frosty night, borne across a bleak and snow-covered wasteland \u2014 so the believer, \u00a0shall be carried in the bosom of his God, across the bleak and cheerless desert of time.<\/p>\n

God will carry him tenderly<\/em> \u2014 hushing the weak one’s fears. He will bear him carefully<\/em> \u2014 so that nothing shall harm or hurt him. He will soothe <\/em>him with gentle words, and encourage <\/em>him with kind acts \u2014 until He safely introduces him at Home!
\nChristian, you have nothing to fear! Your God says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime \u2014 until your hair is white with age! I am your Father \u2014 your Friend \u2014 your solace \u2014 and your confidence! Look unto Me \u2014 even to old age, I will carry<\/em> you. I will bear you up under all that you feel and fear. I will carry you through all that discourages or distresses you. I will deliver <\/em>you from foes, fears, dangers, and death itself! Nothing shall by any means hurt you! My arm <\/em>is strong enough \u2014 trust in it. My bosom <\/em>is your resting-place \u2014 lean on it, lean hard!<\/em> Do not be afraid . . .
\nlove dwells there,
\npity rules there,
\nyour name is engraved <\/em>there!
\nTrust me, I will never leave you nor forsake you!
\n“Hearken!” Believer, your God bids you to “hearken.” His words are true and faithful. He speaks to banish your fears. He speaks to strengthen your faith. He speaks to comfort your poor drooping heart. He speaks to clothe your care-worn brow, with the light of hope, with the cheerfulness which confidence imparts.
\nHearken to Him \u2014 not to unbelief!
\nHearken to Him \u2014 not to carnal reason!
\nHearken to Him \u2014 not to Satan!
\nHearken to Him \u2014 not to erroneous men!
\nHearken, it is your Savior <\/em>who speaks;
\nit is the Guide of your youth <\/em>who addresses you;
\nit is your tender Parent<\/em> who seeks to cheer your heart.
\n“As one whom his mother comforts” \u2014 so does your God comfort you.
\nHe is near <\/em>you \u2014 near you every moment;
\nHe will carry <\/em>you \u2014 carry you every step;
\nHe will deliver<\/em> you \u2014 deliver you from every danger, trouble, and foe!<\/p>\n

James Smith.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE PROMISE And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4 The friends of your youth are gone, death or distance has stripped you of them. But your God […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bulletin-editions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2608"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2610,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608\/revisions\/2610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoalhavengospelchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}