Main Idea: Careful consideration of God’s presence in the present and His promise for the future give Christians reason to live by faith
Three Guidelines to Cultivate Careful Thinking:
- Look around and be realistic – vv. 1-3, 10-19
- Look and be – vv. 4-5, 19
Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that He will accomplish for you today. EXODUS 14:13
Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the LORD your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. DEUTERONOMY 31:6
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. JOSHUA 1:9
He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong” DANIEL 10:19
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. EPHESIANS 6:10
You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 TIMOTHY 2:1
3. Look ahead and be glad – vv. 6-9, 20-23
So then you are . . . member’s of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit. EPHESIANS 2:19-22