| NASB | NLT | VOICE |
| 4 Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. | 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. | 4 So trust in the Eternal One forever, for He is like a great Rock – strong, stable, trustworthy, and lasting. |
The call to trust in God forever shows that our faith is something that endures through all things, not just in tough times. The Israelites were often reminded to trust in God instead of foreign alliances or their own strength. “The Lord God” is about ultimate authority and covenant relationship with His chosen select. The divine name often understood to be “Yahweh” (and also “Jehovah”) points us towards God’s divinity, covenant faithfulness, and unchanging nature. God is known as the Rock – a symbol of strength, stability, and protection. In the Old Testament, God is shown as a rock whose works are perfect. In the New Testament, Christ is shown as a spiritual Rock. Jesus would be the ultimate foundation and source of salvation for believers.
REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How does the imagery of God/Jesus as a rock impact your beliefs and your Christian walk?
In our unstable world, we can find stability through God. We can anchor to His teachings and promises. Holding tight to these things can also provide us with our path forward. It allows us to hold tight to something when everything seems to be falling apart around us. What are some of God’s promises that we’re talking about? God resides with us and will not abandon us. God is good to all of His creation and has compassion for them. God gives perfect peace to those whose minds are focused on Him because they trust Him. God saves us by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ, not through our actions. God has secured us so that no one can take us away from Him. God hears us and answers our prayers according to His will. God will return through Jesus and make all things new. There’s so many more promises to talk about and go in depth on – but that’s going to take an entire series to talk about.
What I will leave you with is this: when we can keep our focus on what God can do and provide, we can start to work towards bringing his will down to earth. To care for His creation in the way that He created us to do. To love each other in the way that we were called to do – as Jesus loved us. To help the marginalized and the oppressed – the lowliest in the community – get raised up to the same status as the highest among us.
REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: When you look at the list of promises mentioned – which one did you need to hear right now and why?
Praise God for the promises that He keeps and never takes away.
Read Proverbs 3:5-6
Ask God how to keep your eyes focused on His promises, and not the chaos of the world.
You are deserving of the promises of God. You are enough as you are. You do not need to be perfect to be a child of God.
Next slice of manna: Understanding God’s Plans || Jeremiah 29:11 || Manna for the Mind #327
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