There is a saying you may have heard or will hear from time to time: “You can take that to the bank.” When a person uses that phrase it means “what I have said to you is a sure thing.”
The Bible is filled with “take-it-to-the-bank” moments:
- “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10
- “We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Romans 3:23
Can anyone really argue with the logic-and the TRUTH-of those two statements? I think not. There is not a person on this planet who think someone is perfect and has never sinned or done anything wrong.
There are many other statements you can take to the bank. Let’s give another scenario: You are feeling overwhelmed. You are feeling alone. You are feeling like you are drowning. You are anxious. You feel abandoned, like you are in a boat in the middle of an ocean without a paddle. You are being tossed around by a storm and YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. But God’s take-it-to-the-bank words come to you in the nick of time to reassure you: “You are not alone. We are in this together. I promised you I would never leave your or forsake you. You belong to me. Trust me. You are safe.” I’ve just given you a different take on the passage that says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He says, “I am with you, even to the end of time.”
Those words-trusting those words-turn panic into peace; bad news into good news; fear into faith; confusion into calm. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you in my righteous right hand.” (ESV)
And…You can take that to the bank.
There are definitely times in life where everything seems to be crashing in around us. That is why it is so important to be attached securely to the anchor of Christ. When the storm is threatening to take us out to sea, or the waves are pushing us ever so closely to the rocky shore… If we are firmly attached to the anchor of Christ, despite the ups and downs of the waves… despite the damage and debris around us. Our future is secure in Christ.
I say a hearty AMEN to that and “preach it brother!”
It still amazes me, and I just stand in awe, that the Creator of all things, the King of Kings, wants me to be in a personal relationship with Him. There is no VIP room anywhere that can top that. It leaves me speechless that God, calls me His child.
Ain’t that the truth Gail! There is nothing offered by this world that can top that.
We can most surely take that promise of God to the bank, Bill, knowing our investment in Him will pay back a hundred fold. Great thoughts today!
Blessings!
Thanks for the kind words Martha. And I’ll bank on that promise all day, every day.
I dearly love Isaiah 41:10 and will never forget the moment God first gave it to me when I was 14. I have stood on it ever since, and it has never failed me! May He bless you today, Pastor Bill!
That is a powerful verse and one of my favorites as well Cheryl. Like you, that verse or the ONE behind that verse has never failed me yet and I don’t believe He ever will. Thanks for the blessing.