Scripture: “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:29
Examination: In chapter 10 of the book of John, Jesus explains who He is, His relationship with His Father, and the security we have in Him. These truths that He shares provide the assurance of our relationship with God and His great love for us.
Application: When I was a little girl, I always felt secure when my father held my hand. His fingers seemed as thick as tree trunks, and when they wrapped around my hand, I knew nothing could pry me away from him. I felt loved, protected, and safe with my dad.
My heavenly Father also loves me and provides protection and security for me. He showed His love on Calvary when He allowed His beloved Son to be sacrificed on the cross to reconcile mankind to Himself. This gift of salvation is available to anyone who places their faith and trust in Christ. Neither God’s love nor His salvation is revocable. 1 John 5:13 states, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Once saved from my sins, I belong to God forever, and no man can remove me from God’s grasp…not even myself! My salvation can never be lost… God’s love assures me of that.
Being secure in someone’s love, knowing you are in their heart forever, removes any fear of abandonment or rejection and gives emotional comfort and peace. Because God has promised in His Word to hold us forever in His hand, we need not fear being forsaken if we should fall into sin or fail to do that which is right in the sight of God. Instead, we have the assurance of His forgiveness and restoration every time we go to Him with a penitent heart. 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The assurance of our salvation and everlasting life is also found in Romans 6:23 and 11:29. The first verse states, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” With salvation comes the gift of everlasting life. The latter verse states that when God gives a gift, He doesn’t renege on it. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Salvation and eternal life are gifts that we cannot ever lose, no matter what we think, say, or do.
To know I will forever be held in the hand of my heavenly Father is love beyond comprehension, but I trust in God’s Word. Romans 8:38-39 states, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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.” It is such blessed assurance to know God’s got a tight grip on me forever!
Memory Verse: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” – Ephesians 2:8
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
(from “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby)