How do the following promises of protection and deliverance inspire you? Ps. 27:5, 6; 34:19; 91:1-16.
These are only a few of God's promises to protect us from the enemy. These promises are not contradicted by martyrdom, for Satan and his hosts can go no farther than killing the body. They cannot rob God's children of their heavenly inheritance (Matt.10:28-33; Heb. 11:32-40).
In
Romans
8:31-39, Paul declares his confidence that nothing can separate us from
God's love unless we allow it. Paul bases his confidence on the fact
that when God gave us His Son, He gave us Himself, thus showing how willing
He is to save us. "Surely, then, no matter what trials may come, we
should never doubt that God is ever working for us and that He will give
us all that is necessary for our present and future good." - SDA Bible
Commentary, vol. 6, p. 577.
How will Christ rescue His people in their last hours on this earth?
Dan.
12:1-3;
Matt.
24:30, 31;
Rev.
19:11-20.
Ellen White reported the following as it was given to her in vision: "It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength. . . . The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance.... Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel's message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law....
"The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. At the end of every sentence the saints shouted, 'Glory! Hallelujah!' Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of God." - Early Writings, pp. 285, 286.
How should God's promises affect the way we view
trials and temptation? How has God already preserved you?