It's in the Bank - The Christian Online Magazine

The Christian Online Magazine -

I was recently praying about a subject to preach to our small congregation that would not only encourage them, but also would show forth God’s tender loving care for His children.

As I prayed, I knew I could certainly bring forth a message on Sickness: There were many needs of healing in the church. I even needed a physical healing in my own body.

Then there was Keeping Power: My mind went to all the obstacles we as Christians face in a world that is intent on hurting and abusing us.

Then of course there was God’s Protection: Oh how we need His protection. I could preach on my own family needing His protection. Even members of my own family and friends are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Lastly I thought of Deliverance: My heart grows heavy when I think of so many people who need deliverance, even within the church. God help us to never be so critical of the habits that have their hold on people, that we fail to pray and ask God to help them to be delivered and set free, that they too may live on Victory’s Mountain.

As I pondered and prayed on these things Psalm 23 and God’s promises came to my mind. I thought of an _expression my husband and I use around our house when comparing God’s Word. We have a tendency to say – You can take God’s Promises to the Bank. Just as I could depend upon my earthly father to keep his promises to me, so can I depend even more upon my Heavenly Father. How do I know His promises are true? Because He cannot lie and if He said it, then I know it is true. I can take it to the bank. Just as I can expect my monthly check to go direct deposit to my bank, I can expect God’s Word to work for me. It’s in the bank.

Psalm 23: Here we find the Psalmist completely leaning on God. He opens with “The Lord is my Shepherd”; I shall not want”. First, He makes it personal! To be on a personal level with God, we must have a little talk with Him every single day, then we can have a relationship with Him. Then we can say God’s Word works and I can take it to the bank!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. I believe He was talking about lush green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. When a Shepherd is leading his flock, he leads them to the best feeding ground he knows of. He leads them to green pastures of plenty, so that they might be fed abundantly. Our Heavenly Father treats us that way. He wants us to be fed abundantly from His Word. Without the nourishment of His Word we will become weak. Without our feeding, we will lose our power.

We will not be ready when the storms of life come without the benefit of the Word. When out bills get behind, we will not know that God does not forsake the righteous. We will not know that God said He would make our enemies our footstool. We will not know that weeping endureth for a night but joy cometh in the morning. We will fail to realize that healing is the Children’s bread when our bodies are racked with pain and we will not know that by His stripes are we healed.

We will know when we stay in the Word that God is in the blessing business and we can have the blessed assurance that our blessing is on the way or that it is in the bank.

When He refers to the Still Waters: We must understand that sheep are poor swimmers, so the Shepherd moves them to a still water that they may drink because he recognizes their weakness.

I Cor. 10:13 Tells us He leads us and promises not to allow more to come upon us than we can bear. God knows the limits and stages of our faith. He also knows our attributes and strengths. He encourages us in our still waters, to reach down into them and wait on His direction. If we will be faithful to cling to Him and His promises we can be assured that our blessing or answer is on the way. In other words “It’s in the Bank”.

Assurance of Protection: Looking back at Psalm 23:3 we can see that a lost sheep cannot find it’s way home so the Shepherd must restore him, or reconcile him back to the flock. Well, God has reconciled us back to the flock through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Once we are born again and abiding in Him, He will not leave or forsake us. He will replenish us with when we are depleted with the power of the Holy Ghost! He revives us when we become despondent. He restores us when we seem to have lost our way and then directs us to the right way, the path of righteousness. He is our provider. Folks! It’s in the Bank!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me!

A good shepherd protects his sheep against predators, so the sheep don’t have to be fearful of what is happening around them. Remember that the shepherd carries his sling and a rod to protect the sheep.
Once we have given our lives to God, the fear of death and the grave has been removed. The resurrection nullifies the finality of the power of Satan and the grave.
Even with the possible outcome of death, God has given us the assurance that “It’s in the Bank” guarantee of eternal life.
We no longer have to be slaves to death because at judgement, we are promised eternal life.

When the Shepherd leads his sheep:

Even if there are predators present, his presence will keep them at bay and thus they may eat.
Well! The Lord is our Shepherd and will not allow those on the outside to tear His children down. His Word says there are no weapons that can be formulated to defeat His children.
Just as the shepherd carried oil to anoint his sheep as they became wounded and weary ... the Lord anoints us when we become weakened and wearied. It is then that the Holy Ghost will bless us to overflowing.
In order to get to this point we must have that personal relationship with God where we can say, “I know it’s in the Bank”. “My blessing is on the way”. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.

We know He is our personal God because we walk and talk with Him and because we sit down and read His Word.

Because, I have blessed assurance He is mine
Because God is our Father, we are heirs of salvation.
Because Jesus died we have been purchased of God.
We have been born of His Spirit and washed by His blood.
We can sing the old song: This is my Story!
When the doctor is concerned, we don’t have to be.
Just knowing, because of our relationship with God, we can say, “It’s in the Bank”.