CHAPTER 4

ASSURANCE

(Bold, confidence, convinces, pacifies, persuades, refuge, safety, security, sure, trust, without care)

ANCHOR OF THE SOUL

BAPTIZER (makes fully wet, washes)

BEARS WITNESS (concurrently, corroborate, evidence, records, reports jointly, testifies, united)

BOLDNESS (assurance, bluntness, confidence, frankness, freeness, openness, outspokenness, plainness, public)

CONFIDENCE (assurance, blunt, courage, frank, free, hope, open, outspoken, plain, public, refuge, reliance, security, sure, trust) Confidence of All the Ends of the Earth

COURAGE (confirmed, established, fortifies, strong)

EARNEST (part of money given as security for remainder in purchase of property {i.e. down payment}, pledge)

ESTABLISHER (confirms, continues, endures, fastens, fixes, helps, holds, lifts or raises up, remains, prepares, sets fast, stable, stands perpendicular, steadfast, sure)

FAITH (assurance, constancy, conviction, credence, fidelity, persuasion, truth)

FOUNDER (consults, establishes, lays foundation, ordains, sets, settles, sits down together, sure)

HOPE (abiding, anticipation, assurance, attachment, confidence, expectation, faith, refuge, security, shelter, something waited for, sure, thing longed for, trust) Blessed Hope, God of Hope, Hope and Resurrection of the Dead, Hope of Glory, Hope in Israel, Hope of Israel, Hope of His People, Hope of Their Fathers, My Hope, Our Hope

JEHOVAH SHALOM - Lord our Peace

MY TRUST (a refuge, assurance, confidence, hope, security, sure)

PEACE (calm, every blessing - temporal and spiritual, finished, full, health, hold peace, hush, mute, one, perfect, prosperity, quietness, rest, safety, set at one again, silence, stillness, welfare, well, whole) King of Peace, Prince of Peace, Lord of Peace, Author of Peace, God of Peace, Very God of Peace

SEALER (stamp for security or preservation)

SHILOH (tranquil)

SURETY (bail, bondsman, give or be security, give pledge, guarantee, mortgage)

[Many of these verses do not specifically contain these exact words, but from the mouth of God’s prophets, priests and kings we hear His desire to assure and establish us. Just look at the many times we are told not to fear!]

Genesis 6:18 But with you will I establish my covenant; and you shall come into the ark, you, and your sons, and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.

Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Exodus 15:17 You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which you have made for you to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.

Leviticus 26:9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

Deuteronomy 28:9 The LORD shall establish you a holy people unto himself, as he has sworn unto you, if you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in his ways.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD your God, he it is that does go with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you. 7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage. For you must go with this people unto the land which the LORD has sworn unto their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land which I swore unto them: and I will be with you.

Deuteronomy 32:6 Do you thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he your father that has bought you? Has he not made you, and established you?

Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. 18 Whosoever he be that does rebel against your commandment, and will not hearken unto your words in all that you commanded him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. [Along with God’s command to be courageous comes the promise of His presence to empower the command. Between this scripture and the ones at the end of Deut., do you think God may have been trying to make a point to Joshua (and us)?]

Joshua 10:25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom you fight.

Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. [Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah is my peace]

1 Chronicles 22:13 Then shall you prosper, if you take heed to fulfill the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with you; he will not fail you, nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper.

2 Chronicles 32:7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Ezra 10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is Hope In Israel concerning this thing.

Psalms 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Psalms 21:7 For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the LORD.

Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 9 He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; he burns the chariot in the fire.

Psalms 55:18 He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 22 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 65:5 By terrible things in righteousness will you answer us, O God of our salvation; who are the Confidence Of All The Ends Of The Earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

Psalms 66:8 O bless our God, you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: 9 Which holds our soul in life, and suffers not our feet to be moved.

Psalms 71:5 For you are My Hope, O Lord GOD: you are My Trust from my youth.

Psalms 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. 9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psalms 89:21 With whom my hand shall be established: my arm also shall strengthen him.

Psalms 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish it.

Psalms 91:4 He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings shall you trust: his truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day;

Psalms 112:6 Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

Psalms 121:3 He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber.

Psalms 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever.

Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. 26 For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.

Proverbs 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 14:26. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from hereforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you. 12 LORD, you will ordain peace for us: for you also have wrought all our works in us.

Isaiah 30:15 For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and you would not.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. 18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;

Isaiah 33:5 The LORD is exalted; for he dwells on high: he has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of your times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD that created you, O Jacob, and he that formed you, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior: I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for you.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 54:14 In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12 For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 13 O LORD, the Hope Of Israel, all that forsake you shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. 17 Be not a terror unto me: you are My Hope in the day of evil.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end

Jeremiah 50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the Hope Of Their Fathers.

Joel 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the Hope Of His People, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Amos 9:6 It is he that builds his stories in the heaven, and has founded his troop in the earth; he that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Luke 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us. 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days here. 8 But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yea, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threats: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the Hope And Resurrection Of The Dead I am called in question.

Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the Hope Of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 6:3 Know not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13 Now the God Of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 33 Now the God Of Peace be with you all. Amen.

Romans 16:20 And the God Of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 25. Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the Author of confusion, but Of Peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:22 Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God. 6 Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight.) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God Of Love And Peace shall be with you.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:22 But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Ephesians 1:13 In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. 12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us. 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace. 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Ephesians 4:3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 3:9. And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 9 Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God Of Peace shall be with you.

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the Hope Of Glory:

Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the Very God Of Peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 16 Now the Lord Of Peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

1 Timothy 3:13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Titus 2:13 Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. 19 Which hope we have as an Anchor Of The Soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil.

Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him. 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace. 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abides a priest continually. 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward. 36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

1 John 4:13 Hereby know are assured we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 10 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know be assured eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Do we need assurance today? Let's look to our Lord for it. Having the Holy Spirit in our lives is like a down payment on eternity, a little bit of Heaven in our lives. We know we are the Lord's if the Holy Spirit is in us.

Many of us think we lack faith. If that is so, let's go to God for His. That is truly the kind that can never fail. Then...let's use it.

Do we ever loose hope? Are we ever depressed? God is our Hope. He gives us Hope. He is the source of it. If God says "There is Hope and it is Myself." who are we to argue? The next time the temptation to despair comes along, let's turn to Our God. He is our supply of all we need, including Hope.

God is the world's only source of peace, both within us and between us. Let's look to Him when we need it. God's kind of peace is not merely absence of stress and strife. His peace is strongest in the midst of the worst. God's peace doesn't make sense-it passes understanding.

See Also: Advocate, Builder, Call, Faithful, Finisher, Giver, Habitation, Healer, Life, Lord, Mercy, Power, Savior, Shepherd

Cross References: Gen. 9:9, 11, 17:7, 19, 21, 1 Sam. 1:23, 13:13, 2 Sam. 7:13, 1 Chr. 17:12, 2 Chr. 7:18, Ps. 15:5, 62:6, 89:4, 119:38, Is. 16:5, Jer. 33:2, Eze. 16:60, 62, Mic. 4:1, Acts 9:27, 20:24, 2 Cor. 13:5, Philm. 8, Jam. 2:1

Hymns: BLESSED ASSURANCE; O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST; CONSTANTLY ABIDING; IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL; LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS; SWEET PEACE, THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE; WONDERFUL PEACE; GOD THE OMNIPOTENT; WE HAVE AN ANCHOR; SPIRIT OF GOD DESCEND UPON MY HEART, MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD; BECAUSE HE LIVES; MY ANCHOR HOLDS; I’VE ANCHORED IN JESUS; I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED; LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS; JESUS, SAVIOR, PILOT ME; LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS; WONDERFUL PEACE; JESUS KEEPS ME SINGING; THE HAVEN OF REST; CONSTANTLY ABIDING; IT IS MINE; WHOSOEVER MEANETH ME; JESUS HAS LIFTED ME; COME YOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS; FAITH IS THE VICTORY; TRUST AND OBEY;

Chorus: HE IS OUR PEACE

Study and Application Questions 

1. What concepts or details about God being our Assurance did you understand for the first time by reading this chapter?

2. In what ways did the definitions of God’s attributes, etc. affect you?

3. How did the hymns/chorus listed reinforce the concepts in the verses? Which one(s) did you pick to help you remember this attribute?

4. Concerning the author’s comments, did any of them challenge you in thought or action? Did you agree or disagree with them?

5. Which verses caused ‘the light to come on’ and the Holy Spirit impressed something to you? Is He challenging you to change anything?

6. What do you need or want God to minister to you or change in you after reading this chapter?

7. How will the knowledge of God being our Assurance affect your prayer, worship, and/or other aspects of your relationship with Him?

8. Consider your ministry to Christians and non-Christians. How will the attributes of God in this chapter affect how you minister to them?