I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. (Isaiah 46:4b ESV)

Remember this and stand firm (Isaiah 46:8a ESV)

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. (Isaiah 46:11bESV)

Praise God, our Creator, Redeemer, Strength and Savior. Remember, remember, always remember. He is forever faithful, he is more than able, he always keeps his promises. His love is great, as shown by his amazing grace. Thank you Lord.

When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies. (Numbers 10:9 NIV)

God says “when”, not “if”. The promise is yours, but not without challenges. Your oppressor is fierce and overwhelming, but nothing – absolutely nothing – compared to your God. Let the trumpet sound, let it remind you. Go set it up, your “virtual” silver trumpet 🙂 It’s not as cool as an actual trumpet, but it should serve the same purpose.

And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” (Numbers 10:35 ESV)

“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. (Psalm 129:2 ESV)

I do not think there are people who I consider as enemies or afflictors. There may be people who think negatively of me or dislike me, but thankfully, none that purposely desires to cause me and my family harm.

But I do have an enemy who have afflicted me from my youth. Yes, as I “ascend Mt. Zion” (that is, my spiritual journey), my afflictor is constantly there – distracting me, discouraging me, causing delays, wanting to destroy. But as I look back today, Praise God, my afflictor has not prevailed against me. I am still here – still standing, still climbing – growing in and by God’s grace.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9, 10 ESV)

Knowledge of His will > so as to walk in a worthy manner > bearing fruit & increasing knowledge (repeat)

There is an expectation to knowing God’s will, that is obedience. And obedience is not an end to itself, obedience leads to bearing fruit – receive blessing and being a blessing. Knowledge is not an end, but a beginning. So be ready, and be faithful to obey.

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, (Colossians 1:11 ESV)

This does not come easy, and we will get tired. Our strength should come from the boundless power and might of God. Only by His strength are we able to endure, be patient, and have joy.

The next passage, is the gospel – the mystery hidden for ages and generations revealed – presented in another way.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him…And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, (Colossians 1:16, 21, 22 ESV)

For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. (Isaiah 45:4 ESV)

Is God’s sovereignty limited only to those who acknowledge Him as God? No. He is Lord of all, Creator of all. He can give power to kings and take them away. For what purpose?

that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:6 ESV)

How should we approach God? God who made the earth and created man just by His Word. Don’t complain, don’t criticize, don’t command. Instead, ask.

Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: “Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands? (Isaiah 45:11 ESV)

And when you ask, He will answer.