GRACE FOR TODAY Radio Message #517

MY THREE FAVORITE TEXTS Isaiah 40:1-2

Pastor Don Fortner

Grace Baptist Church of Danville

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

The preaching of the gospel is specifically designed of God to minister comfort to God’s elect in this world of sin and sorrow. In fact, the Lord God directly commands his servants, in preaching the gospel, to comfort his people. That is my aim as I endeavor to instruct you in the blessed doctrines of the gospel, as I try to set before you the glorious character and gracious operations of God our Savior.

There are specific passages which specifically minister to our own hearts needs and become our favorites. These three are my favorites because they set forth the three most precious, delightful, soul-cheering truths of the gospel by which my faith is continually strengthened, my soul is continually encouraged, and my heart is continually comforted in this world so constantly filled with trials, temptations, and troubles.

Psalm 115:3

“Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”Here the psalmist David plainly declares The great supremacy and glorious sovereignty of our God. Our God is supreme over all the gods of the world. He who truly is God is the God who rules over all things, at all times, in all places, absolutely. He is the absolute, unrivaled Sovereign of the universe, who always does his will in heaven, earth and hell. “He has his way in the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him - What doest thou?” The God I worship, trust, and love is in total control of the universe!

2 Corinthians 5:21

“He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” With those words, the Apostle Paul sets before us The effectual, substitutionary atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God was made to be sin for his people. He died under the wrath of God for God’s elect, for every sinner who trusts him. Thus he accomplished our redemption and obtained our eternal salvation. As he was made to be sin for his people by divine imputation (Having our sins imputed unto him!), even so, by that same divine imputation, all for whom he died are made to be the very righteousness of God in him (Having his righteousness imputed unto us!).

Romans 8:28

“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Here the inspired Apostle declares The holy, wise, good, adorable providence of our God. This is the thing which quietens our fears in the midst of trials, temptations, and troubles in this world. Blessed are they who walk in assurance of their heavenly Father’s good providence!

AMEN.