How Can I Be Sure?
Assurance of God’s Blessings
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD… He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water… And whatever he does shall prosper. (Ps 1:1-3)
You are warmly welcome! I especially welcome the new First Year students who have just arrived. May the Almighty God grant you peace as you settle in, and give you a firm start of your academic and growth journey in this phase.
Many times doubts arise: How can I be sure I will finish campus? That I will succeed? That I will not be conned and end up in cult? Some have already landed in trouble recently or even many years ago, and wonder if there is any hope for recovery. Can God accept me back, after all the sin and rebellion I have been involved in? These doubts are bound to arise from time to time, and that is why today God brings us a message of assurance. You can be sure of God’s blessings and His love for you; in His Word there is both formula and guarantee.
My prayer for you today is the blessing of prosperity in whatever you do according to the provision in Psalm 1:1-3. The Psalm starts with assurance of blessedness, but under clear conditions of shunning the counsel of the wicked, the path of sinners and the company of mockers; one must delight in and meditate on God’s Word continually. This is the formula – the don’ts are clear, and the dos are also clear; and the writer guarantees its veracity by comparing the blessed one with a tree planted by rivers of water – ever green and ever fresh, no matter the season.
Blessed are you… In order to understand well this assuring statement, the amplified Bible breaks it down well (Luke 6:20): “And solemnly lifting up His eyes on His disciples, He said: Blessed (happy with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition – and to be envied) are you poor and lowly and afflicted (destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor), for the kingdom of God is yours!”
How can you be sure? Many make promises that turn out empty, while others are only fulfilled half-way. But here is a promise you can trust; here is a Word you can count on: The one who said it is God himself, and He is the reason you can trust and count on the Word of guarantee. As you face your journey ahead – the academic, career or further advancement, stand firm; no matter the situation around you and the doubts about the future, simply follow the formula, and you will be truly blessed, and blessed forever.
God bless you!