Category: Reverence

TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE: Declare the Good News

August 18, 2025

Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Verse Context

Paul, writing to the Christians in Rome around AD 57, makes one of the most defining statements in his entire letter. By saying “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”, he is declaring his boldness and confidence in proclaiming Jesus despite ridicule, persecution, or opposition. The “gospel” here is the good news of salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the central message of Christianity.

The phrase “the power of God unto salvation” shows that salvation is not achieved through human wisdom, good works, or religious ritual, but through the divine power of God working in the gospel message itself. The gospel is not merely information; it is God’s active power to rescue, change, and give eternal life to those who believe.

Paul then highlights that salvation is available “to every one that believeth”, stressing that belief, or faith, is the condition. No person is excluded based on background, nationality, or history. When he says “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”, he acknowledges God’s covenant order: the message of salvation came first through the Jews (as God’s chosen people and through whom Christ was born), but it extends equally to Gentiles (“Greeks” meaning all non-Jews). This sets the stage for one of Romans’ greatest themes: the universality of salvation in Christ.

In short, this verse shows Paul’s unshakable conviction that the gospel is powerful, sufficient, and for all people, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. and that it alone is God’s way of salvation.

Broader Context

Romans is Paul’s most thorough letter on the doctrine of salvation, written to the believers in Rome around AD 57 while he was in Corinth. At the beginning of the letter (Romans 1), Paul introduces both himself and the central message he intends to defend: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Before he unfolds the details of human sinfulness (Romans 1:18 onward) and God’s way of justifying sinners by faith (Romans 3–5), Paul sets the tone with his personal conviction, he is not ashamed of this gospel, even though the world often scorns it. It strikes me often that persecution has never truly stopped. Paul boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and paid for it with his life. Yet today, many churches dilute that same gospel until it loses its power and meaning. What they preach is no longer the gospel of Jesus, but a new message that bears little resemblance to what Paul proclaimed. The question we must face is this: are we willing to stand firm, even if it costs us friendships, family ties, or even our very lives? Or will we compromise, soften the message, or abandon the gospel altogether?

In the Roman world, shame and honor carried enormous weight. To be mocked, rejected, or persecuted could easily pressure a person into silence. The message of a crucified Savior was especially offensive to both Jews and Gentiles. For the Jews, the idea of Messiah dying on a cross was a stumbling block (they expected a conquering king). For Gentiles, the gospel appeared foolish, because crucifixion was the most humiliating form of execution reserved for the lowest criminals. Yet Paul boldly proclaims that what the world calls weak or foolish is in fact “the power of God.”

Romans 1:16 acts like a thesis statement for the whole letter. Everything Paul teaches in Romans flows out of this truth: salvation is offered freely, universally, and effectively through faith in Christ. From this point, Paul immediately transitions in verse 17 to explain how this salvation is revealed, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Together, verses 16–17 form the foundation of Romans and show why the rest of the book matters.

By anchoring his letter this way, Paul makes it clear that the gospel is not one of many religious ideas, it is God’s one way of salvation for all mankind.

Application

Appreciating God’s Greatness
Romans 1:16 reveals the unmatched greatness of God’s plan. The gospel is not man’s invention, but “the power of God unto salvation.” God alone can save, and He chose to do so through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Unlike human power, which fades and fails, God’s power in the gospel reaches every soul who believes, regardless of background or past sins.

For the Believer
For Christians, this verse is both encouragement and challenge. It reminds us that our faith rests in something unshakable, the power of God Himself. At the same time, it calls us to boldness. If Paul was unashamed before emperors, mobs, and eventually executioners, then we too are called to stand unashamed in our daily lives, whether before friends, coworkers, or even in hostile cultures.

Call to Action: Be intentional about sharing the gospel this week. It may be as simple as speaking a word of hope to someone, posting Scripture online, or refusing to compromise biblical truth when it would be easier to stay silent.

For the Unbeliever
For those who have not yet trusted in Christ, Romans 1:16 makes something clear: salvation is not found in religion, morality, or personal effort. It is the power of God alone, received by faith. The gospel is not an invitation to earn your way to heaven; it is God’s free gift, offered to all who believe. The same gospel Paul preached in Rome is the gospel that can save you today.

Final Encouragement

Paul’s words remind us that the gospel has never lost its power. From the first century until now, it has changed lives, healed brokenness, and brought salvation to those who believe. No matter how the world mocks or rejects it, the gospel of Jesus Christ remains God’s power to save. If we stand unashamed, we not only honor Christ but also become living testimonies of His power.

Our Prayer for You

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gospel of Jesus Christ, Your power to save. Give us courage to stand unashamed, no matter the cost. Strengthen believers to live boldly for You and soften the hearts of unbelievers to see their need for salvation in Christ. May Your Word take root in every reader today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing

If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.

You are loved, so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

Shalom Shalom.

TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE

April 16, 2025

First Peter chapter 5, verses 6 through 10:
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

VERSE CONTEXT

The author of this letter is the Apostle Peter, one of Jesus Christ’s closest disciples. He writes with the authority of an elder and eyewitness to the sufferings of Christ (First Peter chapter 5 verse 1), offering both encouragement and exhortation to fellow believers who are experiencing persecution, anxiety, and the burden of living faithfully in a hostile world. The original audience included believers scattered across Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), suffering under the weight of social rejection and looming state-sanctioned oppression during the reign of Emperor Nero. These believers were being marginalized for their faith, and Peter’s letter serves as a pastoral word of comfort and instruction.

Verse 6 begins a concluding exhortation to believers, emphasizing humility and trust in God’s sovereign timing: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…” The phrase “mighty hand of God” evokes Old Testament imagery of God’s power to deliver (see Exodus chapter 13 verse 3: “By strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place.”). Peter is reminding them that the same God who delivered Israel is the One who watches over them. Humbling oneself before God means submitting to His will, especially in times of trial, rather than attempting to escape or rebel against it.

Peter then says: “That he may exalt you in due time.” This points to the ultimate vindication of the believer—not necessarily in this life, but certainly in the life to come. It reflects the biblical principle that those who humble themselves will be lifted up by God (Luke chapter 14 verse 11: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”).

Verse 7 continues: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” The verb “casting” is active and deliberate, a command to transfer the full weight of our concerns onto God. The word “care” refers to our anxieties, troubles, and distractions. This echoes Psalm 55 verse 22: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” The encouragement is personal—“for he careth for you.” God is not distant or indifferent. His care is not theoretical; it is active, intimate, and ongoing. His compassion is not just corporate but deeply personal.

In verse 8, the tone shifts to a serious and personal warning: “Be sober, be vigilant…” The word “sober” here is not confined to abstaining from alcohol—it refers to a state of clear, disciplined, and spiritually alert thinking. Likewise, “vigilant” means watchful, constantly on guard against subtle threats. Why must believers be this alert? Because, as Peter writes, “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” The image is not gentle or abstract—it is savage and intentional. Satan is not playing games with believers. He is not roaming around to lightly annoy or inconvenience Christians, nor is he trying to “nibble away” some extra heavenly crowns or rewards. That interpretation, often put forward by the Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS) doctrine, radically downplays the gravity of Peter’s warning and misrepresents the seriousness of Satan’s intentions. The word “devour” means full consumption—total ruin. This is not about losing rewards; this is about destruction of the soul.

Peter is addressing believers here, not unbelievers. The command to be sober and vigilant is directed at those who already belong to the faith. And yet, if salvation were guaranteed without condition, regardless of how a person lives or responds to temptation, why would Peter—under divine inspiration—warn them so urgently? The answer is clear: the battle is real, personal, and eternal. Satan’s intent is to sever people from Christ, not simply diminish their heavenly prize. The phrase “your adversary” makes it unmistakably personal—each believer is being hunted. This is not metaphorical or symbolic of minor trials; this is a warning of spiritual warfare with eternal consequences.

The doctrine of OSAS claims that salvation, once received, cannot be forfeited under any circumstances. But that position must wrestle with verses like this one, which plainly describe a believer’s need to remain spiritually alert lest they be overtaken. At Believers of Biblical Truth, we hold firmly that salvation can be walked away from—not accidentally lost, as though it were a misplaced item, but willfully abandoned through deception, rebellion, neglect, or the allure of sin. When Peter says that Satan seeks to devour, we understand this as a threat to the whole person—their faith, their relationship with God, their eternal hope. This view does not diminish God’s power to save but upholds the biblical call to endure, to abide, to remain in the Vine (John chapter 15 verse 6: “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered…”). True salvation bears fruit and perseveres, but Scripture makes it plain that apostasy is possible, and Peter’s imagery of a prowling lion confirms the danger.

Verse 9 instructs: “Whom resist stedfast in the faith…” This resistance is not passive endurance but active spiritual warfare through unwavering trust in God and His Word. The word “stedfast” means unmovable, like a tree rooted in bedrock. It is crucial that Peter ties this resistance to “the faith”, not merely feelings or personal effort. Then Peter offers a global perspective to encourage them: “Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” In other words, suffering for Christ is not unique to them. Believers everywhere are in the same spiritual battle. This was a comfort to them then—and to us now.

Verse 10 is the hopeful conclusion: “But the God of all grace…” This is one of the most beautiful names of God in the New Testament. The phrase “all grace” emphasizes the total sufficiency and generosity of God’s mercy and power. This God “hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus”, reminding the readers that their hope is not merely deliverance from present trouble, but participation in eternal glory with Christ. The promise that “after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you,” gives depth and meaning to suffering. The word “perfect” means to restore or complete; “stablish” means to ground or root; “strengthen” means to fortify with power; and “settle” means to lay a foundation. God is not just pulling them through suffering—He is building something permanent and eternal in them through it. This entire passage holds together around the mercy and personal involvement of God. He cares. He protects. He restores. And He promises glory beyond the pain.

BROADER CONTEXT

First Peter is a letter written by the Apostle Peter likely around A.D. 64, during a time of increasing persecution against Christians under the Roman Empire—most likely during or shortly before the brutal reign of Emperor Nero. The letter was addressed to believers in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (First Peter chapter 1 verse 1)—all Roman provinces located in what is now modern-day Turkey. These Christians were living as spiritual “strangers” or exiles, not only because of their geographical dispersion but because of their identity as citizens of heaven living in a fallen world.

The theme of the entire letter is encouragement through suffering, with an emphasis on hope, holiness, and the example of Christ. Peter reminds his readers that trials are part of the Christian life, not a detour from it. He exhorts them to live in such a way that unbelievers will see their good works and glorify God (First Peter chapter 2 verse 12). He urges submission to authority, godly living in the home, and love within the Christian community. He teaches that persecution is an opportunity to share in the sufferings of Christ (First Peter chapter 4 verse 13: “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…”), and he calls believers to respond not with fear or bitterness, but with humility and hope.

Chapter 5 marks Peter’s closing admonitions. He speaks first to the elders (pastors) of the church, charging them to shepherd God’s flock not for gain or with pride, but as willing examples (verses 1–4). Then he turns to the younger believers and exhorts all to mutual humility: “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (verse 5). It is from this statement on humility that verses 6 through 10 flow. The progression is important:

  • Humble yourself before God (verse 6)
  • Trust His care for you by casting all anxiety upon Him (verse 7)
  • Stay alert, because Satan is actively working to destroy you (verse 8)
  • Resist him by remaining rooted in the faith (verse 9)
  • Remember, suffering is not random or without end—it has purpose, and God will restore you (verse 10)

What makes this section especially powerful in its broader biblical context is that Peter himself knew what it was to fall under pressure. He once tried to resist the enemy in his own strength (drawing a sword in Gethsemane), only to later deny Christ three times (Luke chapter 22 verses 54–62). So when Peter says to cast all your care on God, or to be sober and vigilant, he is speaking as a man who once failed to do these things. And when he says God will “settle you,” he is speaking from experience—Christ restored Peter after his denial and commissioned him to feed His sheep (John chapter 21 verses 15–17).

This passage also resonates with the whole New Testament theme of God’s grace being sufficient in suffering. Paul echoes this in Second Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” The sufferings of this present world, as Paul says in Romans chapter 8 verse 18, “are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Peter is harmonizing with this exact truth.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Peter uses the phrase “the God of all grace,” which stands in contrast to the “adversary the devil.” The devil seeks to destroy, but the God of all grace seeks to strengthen and restore. This duality underscores the reality of the Christian walk—we live between enemy attacks and divine aid. But in Christ, the victory is assured.

APPLICATION

Appreciating God’s Greatness

This passage invites us to marvel at God’s mercy in at least three profound ways. First, He is personally involved in our lives. He is not merely a distant King issuing decrees from heaven, but a caring Father who sees every anxious thought and invites us to cast every burden on Him. That is divine tenderness—“for he careth for you” (First Peter chapter 5 verse 7). Second, He is mighty to save and just to judge. His “mighty hand” is both a place of safety and a symbol of strength. He lifts up the humble in His perfect time and brings down the proud. Third, He is faithful to restore. Even after a season of suffering, God does not merely stop the pain—He transforms it into strength. He makes the believer perfect (complete), stablishes them (firm in conviction), strengthens them (empowered for endurance), and settles them (anchored on a foundation that cannot be shaken). What kind of God does that? A God of all grace. A God worthy of all trust, worship, and submission.

For the Believer

To the believer, this passage is both a comfort and a commission. It comforts us by reminding us that we are not forgotten in our trials. We may be mistreated, isolated, or worn down by spiritual battle—but the eyes of the Lord are ever upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry (Psalm 34 verse 15). Yet, this passage also charges us to take our faith seriously. Be sober. Be vigilant. These are not suggestions; they are survival instructions. The devil is not after your career, your house, or your finances—he is after your soul. He seeks to isolate, wear down, and finally devour. And if we are not watchful, we risk slowly drifting into apathy, compromise, or even apostasy.

Call to Action: Stay humble before God. Make prayer your first response, not your last resort. Cast every care on Him—no burden is too small or too shameful for His shoulders. But also, resist the devil. That resistance is not passive. You must actively stand in the faith, guard your heart, renew your mind with truth, and stay in fellowship with other believers. If you’ve grown spiritually sleepy, it’s time to wake up. If you’ve allowed fear, pride, or compromise to dull your vigilance, it’s time to repent. The fight is real—but so is the victory for those who endure in Christ.

For the Unbeliever

If you are reading this and do not yet know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and King, understand this: you have an adversary too, and you are not currently under God’s protection—you are under judgment. The roaring lion, Satan, has no need to devour what is already dead in sin. But that doesn’t mean you are safe. It means you are already devoured unless God intervenes. And He has intervened—through the cross of Christ. Jesus died to break Satan’s hold on you, to forgive your sin, and to bring you into the care of the only One who can lift you up and settle you forever.

This passage is a warning to the lost and a plea from a merciful God: Come to Me. Humble yourself. You don’t have to be consumed by the enemy—you can be rescued, restored, and loved by the God of all grace.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

This passage from First Peter chapter 5 verses 6 through 10 is a powerful blend of mercy, warning, and promise. It reminds us that the Christian life is not without trial, but neither is it without hope. We are called to humility, not because we are weak, but because God is mighty. We are called to cast our cares on Him, not because our burdens are small, but because His shoulders are strong enough to carry them all. And we are called to vigilance, because the battle for our soul is not theoretical—it is present, personal, and eternal.

Satan’s roar is real. His desire to devour is real. But the grace of God is greater. And for those who endure in Christ—humbled under His mighty hand, alert to the enemy’s schemes, and steadfast in faith—there is a promise of restoration that the world cannot match. God Himself will make you complete. He will establish you in truth. He will strengthen your resolve. He will lay a foundation in your soul that no storm, no devil, and no failure can shake. This is not the promise of once-saved-always-safe living. This is the promise of a living, breathing, persevering faith held by a merciful and mighty God—“the God of all grace.”

ENCOURAGING PRAYER

Merciful Father,
We come to You with humble hearts, thankful for Your mighty hand and tender care. Thank You for the invitation to cast our anxieties on You, knowing that You care deeply and personally for each of us. Lord, help us to stay sober and vigilant, aware of the enemy who prowls, yet confident in the protection and power of Your Spirit. Strengthen us to resist with a faith that does not waver. For every believer who is weary, restore them. For every heart that trembles in fear or discouragement, anchor them in Your truth. And for every soul who does not yet know You, draw them today by Your grace, that they too might know what it means to be settled in Your love.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord,
Amen.

CLOSING

If you’ve found these daily verses encouraging, enlightening, or fruitful, please consider helping us spread the truth and light of God’s Word by subscribing to the blog and YouTube channels and liking and following the Facebook page. Most of all, share Believers of Biblical Truth and our links with others who may need the sermons and daily teachings just as much as we do.

You are loved—so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

Shalom Shalom.

Today’s Daily Bible Verse

April 11, 2025

Psalm chapter 18 verse 2: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

VERSE CONTEXT

This verse was written by David, the second king of Israel, who was both a warrior and a worshiper. Psalm 18, where this verse is found, is a personal song of praise that David wrote to the LORD on the day when he was delivered “from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul” (Psalm 18, title). It’s a deeply intimate, autobiographical testimony of divine rescue and sustaining power.

David had spent years on the run from King Saul, hiding in caves, living among enemies, and narrowly escaping death more than once. The pressure of being God’s anointed while being hunted like a criminal would have been immense. Yet throughout it all, David maintained his relationship with the LORD and trusted in Him completely.

Psalm 18 is therefore not a theoretical psalm—it is born out of personal warfare, betrayal, and survival. Its core is deliverance.

The verse itself uses eight vivid metaphors to describe who God is to David:

  1. My rock – This refers to stability and a foundation. The Hebrew concept here involves something firm, unmovable, and protective—often a high rocky crag, a place of refuge in battle.
  2. My fortress – A fortress is a strong, fortified place of defense. David would have spent much of his fugitive life seeking such places in the wilderness.
  3. My deliverer – The one who rescues, who pulls out of danger. David is saying, “God is the One who gets me out when there’s no way out.”
  4. My God – This is personal. Not a god, but my God. It reflects the covenant relationship David had with the LORD.
  5. My strength – The Hebrew root here implies not just physical strength but firmness and reliability. When David was weak, he drew strength from the LORD.
  6. My buckler – An older term for a small, maneuverable shield, used in close combat. The LORD is not a distant shield, but One who defends at intimate range.
  7. The horn of my salvation – In biblical language, the horn is a symbol of power and victory. This phrase suggests God is the source of victorious salvation.
  8. My high tower – A refuge placed high above danger, where enemies cannot reach and where vision and protection are maximized.

What’s important is how deeply personal this verse is. David is not writing a theological textbook—he’s writing from the battlefield of life. The repetition of the word “my” reveals a relationship, not just knowledge. He doesn’t merely believe about God—he knows God Himself. This is his rock, his shield, his fortress.

The language of this verse is not poetic exaggeration. It is the hard-won truth of a man who had been saved time and time again by God’s direct intervention. This psalm is also duplicated nearly word-for-word in Second Samuel chapter 22, suggesting that David preserved this song as a personal anthem of praise throughout his life.

Additionally, some commentators view Psalm 18 as messianic, foreshadowing the deliverance Jesus would bring. While the psalm is rooted in David’s experience, it stretches forward prophetically to the ultimate Deliverer—Jesus Christ—who provides eternal refuge, strength, and salvation.

The psalm was likely first written for private devotion and then publicly shared for worship and instruction. As king, David was not only testifying to God’s deliverance in his own life but modeling for the people of Israel what trust in the LORD looked like during times of trial.

BROADER CONTEXT

Psalm 18 is among the longest psalms in the Book of Psalms, with 50 verses, and it is deeply autobiographical. It opens with a superscription that anchors it in a specific historical context: “A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.” That preface gives us an undeniable clue to the emotional and historical backdrop of the chapter. This is not simply a moment of joy—it is a culmination of years of warfare, wilderness wandering, royal uncertainty, and constant peril.

This Psalm is also found almost identically in Second Samuel chapter 22, written during the final season of David’s life. That chapter acts as a retrospective song of praise—a spiritual memoir of deliverance. That helps us understand that this Psalm didn’t emerge from a single crisis, but was shaped over a lifetime of hardship. It gathers the memory of a thousand dangers and the consistency of God’s saving grace into one towering testimony.

The language of the Psalm shifts between high praise and detailed accounts of God’s acts. Verses 4–6 describe David’s distress: “The sorrows of death compassed me,” he says. In verse 7, the imagery becomes explosive as God arises in wrath to defend His servant. That section—verses 7–15—reads like a divine theophany (God appearing in dramatic form), with earthquakes, fire, and smoke. It paints God not as passive but as a warrior-king, rising to shake the heavens for the sake of His anointed.

The broader structure of the Psalm shows a movement from desperation to deliverance to exaltation:

  • Verses 1–3: Declaration of trust and praise (where verse 2 is found).
  • Verses 4–6: Cry of distress.
  • Verses 7–19: God’s dramatic response.
  • Verses 20–29: Reward for righteousness.
  • Verses 30–45: Testimony of God’s strength in battle.
  • Verses 46–50: Final praise and acknowledgment of God’s steadfast love.

Now, let’s narrow in on how verse 2 functions in that structure. It is part of the introductory declaration. David begins by saying, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength” (verse 1), and then immediately launches into the comprehensive list of metaphors in verse 2. This is his foundational theology—everything that follows in the Psalm grows out of this understanding: God is stable, safe, rescuing, and trustworthy.

This is why verse 2 has become a lifeline for many believers, especially in seasons of anxiety, stress, and uncertainty. It does not belong to the battlefield alone—it belongs to the exhausted parent, the discouraged worker, the burdened minister, and the believer crushed by invisible burdens. That is why this verse is so powerful for a Friday. The end of the work week often represents emotional depletion. Many people are carrying burdens from the office, home, or personal life—and they may be holding on by a thread.

Psalm 18 verse 2 reminds us that God does not change. He is still a fortress. Still a rock. Still a deliverer. This is a declaration we can speak even while the battle rages—and it becomes an anchor that keeps our faith from drifting in the storm.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714), a Nonconformist minister and commentator, wrote that “those who by faith fly to God for support and shelter shall find Him a rock under their feet, a buckler over their heads, a horn of salvation on their heads, and a high tower in which they are safe.” His emphasis on God being a complete refuge—above, around, under, and within—is drawn directly from the language of this Psalm.

Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892), a Reformed Baptist preacher, echoed this idea when he said, “This verse is a perfect mosaic of precious stones gathered from the quarry of divine faithfulness.” That poetic language points us to a truth: each name David gives to God in this verse is not ornamental—it’s earned.

Whether David was hiding in the caves of Adullam, seeking refuge in the strongholds of Engedi, or walking the palace halls of Jerusalem as king, his confession remained the same: the LORD is his rock.

APPLICATION

Appreciating God’s Greatness

Psalm chapter 18 verse 2 is not a list of titles—it is a confession of experience. It magnifies the Lord by declaring what He is rather than simply what He does. David doesn’t say, “The LORD gives me strength”—he says, “The LORD is my strength.” That distinction matters. God is not a vendor of support—He is the very embodiment of it. He is the place we run to, the power we stand in, and the protection we depend on.

Each image in the verse—rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, horn, tower—gives us a multifaceted vision of God’s greatness. His strength is not one-dimensional. He is our defense in war, our safety in storms, our shelter in grief, and our victory in battle.

God’s greatness here is relational, not distant. These aren’t just majestic metaphors—they’re evidence of a living God who enters the chaos of our lives and establishes peace by His presence.

For the Believer

David’s words in this verse invite believers to rest in God’s character, not in their circumstances. Whether you’re facing battles like David or simply carrying the slow grind of daily responsibilities, the call is the same: run to the Rock.

For many, Friday brings exhaustion—not just physical, but emotional and spiritual. The workweek can leave people strained, overlooked, or spiritually dry. This verse reminds us that God is not worn out when we are. He doesn’t rest—He is the rest. He doesn’t need to be refilled to fill us. The “fortress” David speaks of is not far away or locked—it is open and ready.

That’s why this verse is especially meaningful at the end of a long week. The weekend is not just a break from work—it is an opportunity to refresh with praise and rebuild with prayer. When we slow down, we can once again see how safe we are in Him. Instead of retreating into worldly distraction, we can retreat into divine refuge. Worship becomes our weapon, and prayer becomes our high tower.

David trusted God not only in caves and palaces, but in the quiet spaces between. So should we.

Call to Action:

As the week winds down, take time this weekend to actively rest in the Lord. Don’t simply collapse into entertainment—enter into worship. Carve out moments of stillness to read this verse aloud. Personalize it: “LORD, You are my rock. My strength. My deliverer.” Let His identity settle your anxiety. Trust Him in every layer of stress, and let your weekend be shaped not by escape—but by encounter.

For the Unbeliever

If you do not yet belong to Christ, this verse still invites you in. It shows what is available to all who put their trust in the Lord. The God who was David’s refuge wants to be your refuge too.

The storms of life are no respecter of persons. They come to the rich and the poor, the faithful and the faithless. The difference is this: one stands exposed, the other is hidden in the fortress of God’s love.

The same God who protected David from spears, armies, and betrayal has extended His hand to you through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate deliverer—He didn’t just save a man from battle; He saved a world from sin.

You may have tried to be your own rock, your own strength, your own tower—but it doesn’t hold. Come to Christ. He is strong enough to carry your guilt, and gentle enough to hold your wounds. Let today be the day you call Him your rock.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT:

Psalm chapter 18 verse 2 is more than a declaration—it’s a shelter. It reminds us that the same God who defended David in the wilderness defends us in the chaos of our lives. Whether you’re facing battles of the heart, mind, or circumstances, the invitation is the same: trust in the Lord as your rock. You don’t have to hold yourself up. You don’t have to be your own strength. You don’t have to run without rest.

Let this weekend be a time not of collapse, but of communion. Praise the God who has sustained you all week, and find your peace not just in the absence of work—but in the presence of your Fortress. The LORD is not just a place to run—He is the only place strong enough to hold your heart.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being our unshakable rock, our fortress in every storm, and our strength when we are weak. We come to You now with our burdens—some that we speak aloud, and others too deep for words. Let us find peace in knowing that You are our refuge, not just for today but for every tomorrow. Wrap Your presence around us this weekend. Restore our weary hearts. Help us to trust You, not just with our lips, but with our lives. And may we, like David, declare with confidence: You are my rock, my deliverer, and my high tower. In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

CLOSING:

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You are loved—so much in fact, that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

Shalom Shalom.

Understanding Luke 14:26: Christ Above All

In Luke 14:26, Jesus lays out one of the most challenging statements in the Bible:
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

At first glance, these words might seem shocking. How could the One who commands us to love others also tell us to “hate” our closest family members? Is this a contradiction? Of course not. The Bible is inerrant, and it never contradicts itself. What Jesus is doing here is using a hyperbole—a rhetorical tool to exaggerate for emphasis.

We use hyperbole to emphasize a point. In this case, Jesus is making it clear that our love for Him must be so great, so consuming, that every other relationship pales in comparison. This isn’t a call to neglect or despise others but to prioritize Christ above all else. After all, the same Scriptures that record this verse also command us to honor and love one another:

  • Exodus 20:12 reminds us to honor our parents: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
  • John 13:34-35 calls us to love each other: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
  • Matthew 22:37-39 teaches the greatest commandments: to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

So, how do we reconcile these teachings with Luke 14:26? Jesus is teaching us about priority. He is not urging us to despise our family, but to love Him so deeply that all other attachments become secondary. This is the cost of discipleship, and it requires total devotion.

Context and Background

Let’s set the scene for this challenging teaching. Earlier in Luke 14, Jesus had been dining with a Pharisee. The Pharisees, for those who may not know, were religious leaders who focused on rigidly following the law and their own traditions. They often missed the heart of God’s commands—love, mercy, and humility—and instead prided themselves on outward displays of piety.

At this dinner, Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ legalistic mindset. He then told several parables, including one about humility. He taught that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Later, Jesus told the parable of the great banquet. A man prepared a feast and invited many guests, but those invited made excuses. One bought a field, another oxen, and another married. Their excuses reflected misplaced priorities—work, possessions, and relationships had taken precedence over the host’s invitation. The host, angered by their rejection, invited the poor, the crippled, and the outcasts—those who recognized their need. This parable reveals a sobering truth: excuses rooted in earthly attachments can cause us to miss God’s invitation to His kingdom.

The Radical Call of Discipleship

From this parable, Jesus transitioned to addressing the crowds directly in Luke 14:25–26. He explained to the crowds that following Him was about commitment, not curiosity or convenience. To be His disciple, one must:

  • Love Him so deeply that all other relationships seem secondary (v. 26).
  • Bear one’s cross, symbolizing a willingness to endure suffering and sacrifice (v. 27).
  • Count the cost of following Him, as one would when building a tower or preparing for war (vv. 28-32).
  • Forsake all else for His sake (v. 33).

Jesus wasn’t looking for half-hearted followers. Scripture repeats the theme of radical devotion, which Jesus was calling for. Revelation 3:16 warns against being lukewarm: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”  Jesus desires fervent disciples, not those who waver between Him and the world.

Living Under Christ’s Headship

To follow Christ means to acknowledge His headship—His supreme authority in our lives. Colossians 1:18 says, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” This means Christ must have supremacy in every area of our lives: our relationships, our work, our priorities, and even our very selves.

To live under Christ’s headship, we must:

  • Deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23-24).
  • Present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2).
  • Be zealous for good works and for the Lord (Titus 2:14; Colossians 3:23).

Examples of Misplaced Priorities

Throughout the Bible, we see believers who failed to prioritize God:

  • Martha (Luke 10) was distracted by her tasks and missed the chance to sit at Jesus’ feet.
  • The rich young ruler (Matthew 19) clung to his possessions and walked away from Jesus.
  • Solomon allowed his foreign wives to lead him into idolatry (1 Kings 11).

Even today, we see misplaced priorities in modern churches that focus on entertainment rather than Christ, in believers who let grief or relationships overshadow their faith, and in the allure of worldly success and comfort.

Encouragement and Invitation

Despite the cost, following Christ is worth everything. As Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The promise of eternal life far outweighs the temporary sacrifices we make.

If you’ve never surrendered your life to Christ, let me invite you to take that step today. The Romans Road shows us the way:

  • “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
  • “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
  • “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Will you make Christ the head of your life? Will you count the cost and follow Him above all else?

Conclusion

Jesus’ call in Luke 14:26 is not about losing relationships—it’s about redefining them under His Lordship. By placing Christ above all, we gain everything. So, let us examine our priorities, repent of lukewarmness, and pursue Him with zeal, knowing that the cost of discipleship is small compared to the reward of eternal life.

May God’s blessings be upon you and your home, may the truth of the Bible light your path, and may we all be fervent believers of biblical truth.

Theophany: The Divine Presence in our Lives

Today, we stand in a world where God’s presence often feels distant—not because He has left, but because we have pushed Him to the fringes of our lives. In Scripture, God revealed Himself through divine manifestations known as theophanies, which are dramatic displays of His holiness, power, and presence. These theophanies demanded reverence from those who witnessed them. But today, as Christians, we often forget that we are walking theophanies—carrying God within us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Despite this profound truth, many of us fail to live in reverence of that reality. This sermon will explore the theophanies of Scripture, our identity as bearers of God’s presence, and the reverence God deserves but often does not receive in today’s church.

Defining Theophany:

The word theophany is derived from the Greek terms theos (God) and phaino (to appear), denoting the visible and tangible appearance of God to humans. Theophanies in Scripture are not mere symbolic events or visions but are moments when God reveals His physical presence in a dramatic and real way. These encounters are awe-inspiring, often accompanied by natural phenomena like fire, clouds, thunder, or lightning, and they invoke reverence, fear, and worship.

John Gill explains that in a theophany, God makes Himself known in a way that transcends ordinary human experience. Gill often notes that these manifestations serve not just as divine revelation but as direct encounters with God’s holiness, requiring humility and awe from those who experience them.

Matthew Henry emphasizes that theophanies are meant to “strike awe and reverence into the heart of man.” He sees these events as moments when God graciously accommodates Himself to the weakness of human perception, revealing just enough of His glory to inspire worship without overwhelming the person. Henry’s insights point out that these experiences draw the witness into deeper obedience to God’s will.

Charles Spurgeon speaks of theophanies as a testimony to God’s “intense nearness.” In his sermons, Spurgeon often comments that God doesn’t just reveal Himself in spiritual terms but sometimes in ways that engage our senses, showing that He is both transcendent and immanent—beyond all and yet close to all. Theophanies, he notes, are God’s way of reminding us of His supreme authority and intimate involvement in His creation.

Theophany vs. Vision:

While both theophany and visions involve divine revelation, they occur in distinctly different ways.

Theophany:

A theophany is an actual, physical manifestation of God that can be witnessed by multiple people and takes place in real-time, physical space. Unlike visions, theophanies are not dreams or inner experiences but concrete appearances of God’s presence. For example, when Moses encounters God through the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6), this is a direct, tangible theophany. God’s presence is evident in the fire that burns but does not consume, signaling His holiness and eternal nature.

John Calvin believed that in theophanies, God condescends to reveal Himself in a form we can perceive, underscoring His incomprehensible nature while still allowing Himself to be known. Calvin notes that the burning bush represents God’s ability to sustain His people amid trials without being consumed by them.

Albert Barnes writes that Moses removing his sandals demonstrates reverence and submission in the presence of God’s holiness. He comments that Moses knew he was standing before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, making this a profoundly sacred moment that called for awe and respect.

Adam Clarke adds that the fire in the bush symbolizes God’s enduring, refining presence. He sees theophanies as moments of divine invitation, where God calls humanity to witness His glory and respond in obedience.

Vision:

A vision is a supernatural experience or revelation given to an individual, often in a dream-like or altered state. Visions convey divine messages or spiritual truths, but they are not physical manifestations like theophanies. For example, Isaiah’s vision of God in Isaiah 6:1-8 is not a physical encounter but a prophetic experience where Isaiah sees the Lord “high and lifted up” in a spiritual sense. This vision conveys profound theological truths, but it is different from a physical manifestation of God.

Matthew Henry sees visions as a grace from God, allowing individuals to receive spiritual insight and direction. However, Henry distinguishes visions from theophanies by highlighting that visions involve inward, prophetic experience, whereas theophany involves the real, external manifestation of God.

John Wesley interprets visions as spiritual lessons that often reveal deeper truths about God’s plans or purposes. Wesley comments on Isaiah’s vision as a moment where the prophet receives a deep understanding of God’s holiness and his own sinfulness, leading to his commission as a prophet.

Theological Reflections:

John Wesley speaks of theophanies as not just revelations of God’s presence, but of His holiness and majesty. For Wesley, theophanies often contain both a moral demand and a spiritual revelation, calling the people who experience them to greater holiness and commitment.

Charles Spurgeon often preached about the profound reverence required when encountering the presence of God, whether through a theophany or in the everyday Christian life. He encouraged believers to live as if they were continually before the face of God, reflecting the reverence that theophanies demand.

Jonathan Edwards points out that in theophanies, God’s sovereignty and glory are put on full display. Edwards saw these divine manifestations as reminders of human smallness in the presence of God’s greatness, which should inspire reverence and humility in every believer.

Theophanies in Scripture teach us to revere the holy, majestic, and transcendent nature of God. As Voddie Baucham often says, when we lose the sense of God’s majesty, we diminish our worship. Understanding theophanies should reignite a sense of awe and reverence in our hearts, for we are not dealing with a distant or indifferent deity. These powerful encounters remind us that God is holy, and His presence demands our utmost respect and reverence.

Examples:

Some examples of these revelations are:

  • God Appears to Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:8-10)
  • God Appears to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-15)
  • The Cloud and Fire on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-20)
  • The Pillar of Cloud and Fire (Exodus 13:21-22)
  • The Angel of the Lord and Balaam’s Donkey (Numbers 22:21-35)
  • God Appears to Joshua as the Commander of the Lord’s Army (Joshua 5:13-15)
  • God Appears to Solomon at the Temple Dedication (2 Chronicles 7:1-3)
  • The Appearance of God to Elijah (1 Kings 19:9-13)
  • The Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8)
  • The Appearance of the Resurrected Christ to Saul (Acts 9:3-6)

There is so much that can be taken from each of these, and maybe in the future I will do a series on Theophanies, but for now there are three theophanies I want to discuss with you, LORD willing.

The Burning Bush

As we look to the story of Moses and the burning bush, we find one of the most striking moments in Scripture where God breaks into the ordinary and declares His presence in the extraordinary.

The first thing we notice is the fire. Moses saw a bush that was burning, yet it was not consumed. The Greek word used for “burn” in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) is καίω (kaiō), which means to burn continually. This word is crucial because it doesn’t describe a fire that flares up and dies down; it describes a fire that burns steadily, continuously. This tells us something profound about God.

God’s fire, His presence, is not fleeting. It does not wane or diminish. Charles Spurgeon comments that this continuous fire represents the eternal nature of God’s holiness. God’s presence is a fire, but one that does not rely on anything outside of Himself for sustenance. He is self-sufficient. The fire in the bush wasn’t and it wasn’t fueled by the bush. If there was a way to know at the time, I would bet we would find out that the fire wasn’t consuming oxygen too. This wasn’t a natural fire; this was the supernatural presence of God—a fire that burned continuously and by its own power.

John Calvin expands on this idea, noting that the fire is symbolic of God’s glory and purity, which are constant and unchanging, hence the continuing flames. As I learned to cook over wood, I needed to learn the difference between dry wood and wet wood, fresh wood and old wood. Older wood was less dense and would not burn as long nor create hotter coals. During my learning curve I saw how fires would flame and die at various rates as a result of the fuel source, I.e. the wood. This is not present here. There was a consistent and enduring flame. Calvin says that the bush’s inability to be consumed by the fire points to the fact that God’s purposes, like the bush, are sustained by His will and power, not by external means. The bush was not consumed because God was in control of the fire, and the fire was self-sufficient, just as God is self-sufficient. He doesn’t need anything from us; He is complete in and of Himself. This is a picture of God’s aseity—His complete independence and self-existence.

Matthew Henry draws our attention to the fact that the fire represents God’s sustaining power, particularly toward His people. Just as the bush was not consumed, so too are God’s people sustained in the midst of trial and affliction. The fire burns around us, and we are not consumed. God was with them, burning brightly in the midst of their oppression, and yet they were not destroyed. But just like the Israelites, we focus on the trial and the pain and the suffering, and not the mighty work of God. Tragedy befalls most of us at some point. How wrong it is to try to measure and out-tragic (I just made that word up) others. It is our faith that helps us refocus. I hope when we refocus, we remember the bush and that in the midst of the fire, God was always in control and because of THAT and that alone, the bush was not consumed. The bush did nothing to protect itself, it was a bush just being a bush. It was the authority of God that protected that bush.

Now, why was Moses told to take off his sandals? Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes both point to the cultural and religious significance of this act. In the ancient Near East, removing one’s shoes was a sign of respect, humility, and submission when entering sacred spaces. But beyond cultural practice, this act is deeply symbolic. Remember the definition of Theophany. God is physically here. He is present and interacting with man. The ground was holy because God was there. His presence sanctified the ordinary earth, turning it into holy ground. It doesn’t matter where you have church, every place in which God is present is Holy! By removing his sandals, Moses was acknowledging that he was in the presence of a holy God, and that no human, in his natural state, is worthy to stand before Him.

And this is where reverence comes in. What is reverence? It’s the deep, respectful awe that comes when we truly recognize who God is and who we are in comparison. Matthew Henry comments that reverence is the only proper response to encountering the living God. God didn’t tell Moses to take off his sandals for the sake of ceremony or tradition. He did it because standing in His presence required Moses to recognize that this moment was unlike any other. It required Moses to humble himself and approach with the utmost respect.

The church today has lost much of this reverence. We don’t even call it a sanctuary. Probably because God is no where to be found. In the auditoriums in churches across the planet people bring coffee and food into the sacutary. Its too early, I need to wake up, I need my coffee. We often treat God as common, as someone we can approach on our own terms. We come into worship services without a sense of awe, without trembling in the knowledge that we are entering the presence of the Almighty. We take more time getting dressed up for the big game than they do to go to church. Its amazing what some people wear, including the pastor. The arguments these people come up with to get off the hook of showing reverence. If you go to a church where there is a coffee bar and you are allowed to eat and drink in the holy temple of God, if your pastor takes his divine calling so cavalier as to dress as if he is attending a social gathering instead of delivering the divine word of God to you, the run far and fast. Listen, none of this would be permitted in the temple of old at all, and we serve the very SAME God. God told Moses to take his sandals off, not Mike, not Randy, not Voddie, God!!! Mike, Randy, and Voddie, and all oother humble servants of God are just reminding you of who God is who we are NOT! We live our lives as though God is just another part of our routine, something we think about for an hour on Sunday and then push aside the rest of the week.

Charles Spurgeon warned of the dangers of treating God with irreverence. He spoke about the need for the church to recover its awe of God, saying that “familiarity breeds contempt,” and that we have become so familiar with the idea of God’s love and grace that we’ve forgotten His holiness. Spurgeon noted that when the church loses its sense of reverence, it loses its ability to worship rightly. When we no longer see God as holy, we begin to treat Him as something less than divine.

Voddie Baucham has spoken on this same topic, pointing out that many modern churches have traded reverence for relevance. In our desire to be accessible, to make people feel comfortable, we’ve stripped away the awe that should come when we gather to worship. Worship is not about making us feel good; it’s about recognizing the greatness of the God we serve.

Which is why I take issue with the modern day churches focus on music as “worship” and music leaders as “worship leaders”. Worship is not you being entertained, you dancing and having a good time. Worship is you humbling yourself before a mighty and righteous and all powerful God. We used give testimonies in church praise that mighty God for working so powerfully in our lives. We used to share the change His theophany has brought about in our lives. Now we sing. Oh I am not saying that some are not praising as they sing, but lets be real, it’s a mini rock concert.

And it’s not just in our churches. Many of us, as individuals, are failing to live reverently before God. We go about our lives as if God isn’t watching, as if He isn’t with us. We give Him lip service in song and prayer on Sunday and then ignore His presence throughout the week. But friends, if we truly understood that God is always with us—that His fire is always burning, always present, never consuming us but always sustaining us—how different would our lives be?

Albert Barnes says that reverence means living in a constant awareness of God’s presence, the Theophany of the holy spirit in souls. It means realizing that every action, every thought, every word is done in the sight of the Holy One. We cannot compartmentalize our lives, worshiping God on Sunday and living for ourselves the rest of the week. If we are truly reverent, we will live every moment in awe of His presence, knowing that we stand on holy ground every day of our lives.

So, what does the burning bush teach us? It teaches us that God is holy, that His presence is a consuming fire that does not depend on us for its existence. It teaches us that when we approach God, we must do so with reverence, humility, and awe. It teaches us that God sustains His people, that His fire burns in our lives, not to destroy us, but to purify us, to make us holy as He is holy.

Friends, it’s time for us to take off our sandals. It’s time for us to recognize that we are standing on holy ground, not just in church, but in every moment of our lives. God is with us—His fire is burning, and it is time we respond with the reverence He deserves.

Jesus Christ: The Ultimate Theophany

Throughout the Old Testament, theophanies were often temporary manifestations of God’s presence—moments when God revealed Himself to humanity in fire, smoke, or angelic appearances.

When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, entered the world through the Incarnation, He was the ultimate and final theophany. No longer was God revealing Himself through temporary appearances; He was now dwelling among humanity in the flesh. John 1:14 (KJV) declares, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus wasn’t just a representative of God; He was God, dwelling in human form, fully divine and fully human.

John Calvin emphasizes that the Incarnation is the pinnacle of God’s self-revelation. In Christ, we see the fullness of God. Calvin argues that all previous theophanies were mere shadows pointing to the ultimate revelation of God in Jesus Christ. When we see Christ, we see God. Matthew Henry adds that Jesus was not merely reflecting God’s glory, as Moses did when his face shone after encountering God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29), but Jesus was Himself the source of that glory. In Christ, the invisible God became visible.

This is why the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount (Matthew 17:1-8) is so significant. In that moment, Jesus was transfigured before His disciples, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. This was a revelation of His divine glory, a brief glimpse of the true nature of Jesus as God. Charles Spurgeon calls this theophany a “window into the divine,” a moment when the veil was momentarily lifted to show the disciples that Jesus was not merely a prophet or a teacher, but God Himself in the flesh.

The Shift: From Theophany to Indwelling

But something extraordinary happened after Jesus completed His earthly ministry. After His death, resurrection, and ascension, the nature of God’s presence with His people changed forever. In the Old Testament, theophanies were temporary; God would appear, reveal His presence, and then depart. But Jesus promised something different before He ascended into heaven. He said to His disciples in John 14:16-17 (KJV), “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the final and forever manifestation of God’s presence. Much like the fire in the bush that burned continuously, the Holy Spirit is forever, never faining, always burning. No longer does God appear in fleeting moments; now, He abides in us constantly through His Spirit. John Wesley notes that this shift marks the fulfillment of God’s ultimate desire to dwell with His people, not just around them or near them, but in them. The Holy Spirit, Wesley says, is the “living witness” of God’s ongoing presence, transforming believers from within.

When Jesus ascended, He didn’t leave us to be alone. Instead, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in every believer. In Acts 2, during Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, filling them with His power and presence. This event marks the transition from temporary theophanies to the permanent indwelling of God in the hearts of His people, walking, living, and forever Theophanies.

Living in the Reality of the Indwelling Spirit

Here’s where the connection between the Old Testament theophanies and our current reality becomes so important. In the Old Testament, when God appeared, the people responded with reverence and awe. Moses took off his sandals. Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me!” The people trembled at Mount Sinai. The question we must ask ourselves today is: Are we living with the same reverence and awe for God’s presence that those in the Bible displayed?

Charles Spurgeon strongly warned against the modern tendency to take the indwelling of the Holy Spirit lightly. He argued that because God now dwells in us, our lives must be marked by holiness and reverence. We are not just witnesses to God’s presence; we are bearers of it. Spurgeon believed that the reality of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling should lead Christians to live with a constant awareness that we are standing on holy ground—because the holy God lives within us.

This is why the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV), “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Paul’s words here are a reminder that we are now walking theophanies. Just as God appeared in the burning bush, He now dwells in us through His Spirit. And if the ground Moses stood on was holy, how much more so should our very lives be holy, since God dwells within us?

But here is where we see a major problem in the contemporary church and in our individual lives. Many Christians today treat the indwelling of the Holy Spirit with casualness or even neglect. We don’t live with the same awe that Moses, Isaiah, or the disciples showed when they encountered the living God. Voddie Baucham often preaches about the way many churches have traded reverence for entertainment. We have replaced holiness with comfort, and we’ve forgotten that God is not just our companion; He is our holy, righteous, and consuming fire.

When Jesus was on earth, people recognized His holiness and were often moved to reverence or even fear. But today, many Christians act as if God is someone we can set aside until we need Him. Albert Barnes remarks that this is a profound misunderstanding of the indwelling Spirit. We should be living every day in reverence, knowing that we are temples of the Holy Spirit.

My friends, read you Bible, don’t take my word for it. If you do not know Jesus, I invite you to come to the cross today. I invite you to bring all your burdens, your sins, your shame, and lay them at the feet of Jesus. You don’t have to carry the weight of your sin anymore. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV), ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

Today, I want to invite you to exchange your heavy load for the peace and freedom that Christ offers. This is the moment when you can be reconciled to God, to receive the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible gives us a clear path to salvation, and it is called the Romans Road. It walks us through what we need to understand about our sin, the grace of God, and how to receive salvation.

Romans 3:23 (KJV) says, ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.’ Every one of us is a sinner, separated from God by our sin. None of us can save ourselves.

Romans 6:23 (KJV) reminds us of the consequence of that sin: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Sin leads to death, but God offers us the free gift of eternal life in Jesus.

Romans 5:8 (KJV) declares God’s love for us, ‘But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ Jesus died for you and me while we were still sinners, showing His incredible love and mercy.

Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) gives us the promise of salvation: ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’

If you believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins, and that God raised Him from the dead, you can be saved. Right now, wherever you are, you can turn to Jesus. You can confess your sin and receive the gift of salvation.

If you’re ready to make that decision, I want to encourage to cry out to Jesus and pray. I know that for someone who doesn’t pray it may seem uncomfortable, talking to someone who isn’t there. But as we just discuss, the Holy Spirit is real, and is waiting to abide with you. The Holy Spirit is a part of the Trinity, He is God, He is Jesus, and he is right there with you. Talk to him like you would a friend. Confess all your burdens to him like you would your friend. Ask for forgiveness as if you offended your friend. Ask him to stay with you, like you would a friend during troubling time. If you still find it uncomfortable, I invite you to pray with me. This prayer is simply a way to express your faith in Jesus and to ask Him to forgive you of your sins and make you new. Pray these words with me:

‘Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that You died for my sins, and that You rose from the dead. I turn from my sin and invite You into my heart and my life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.’

Acts 2:38 (KJV) says, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ Baptism is an outward sign of the inward change that has taken place in your life. It is a public declaration that you have died to your old self and been raised to new life in Christ.

If you do not already have one, I encourage you to find a Bible-believing church where you can grow in your faith, be baptized, and walk in fellowship with other believers. Get into God’s Word, pray daily, and surround yourself with fellow Christians who will help you in your journey. Turning away from sin is hard, you will need as much support as possible. While the angels in heaven rejoice, Satan will be hard at work to rip you away from from God. You are merely a tool as Satan tries to cause God as much pain as possible. We must stand together and be strong and endure to the end.