In 1873 Fanny Crosby wrote: 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.
These words give comfort in the face of formidable danger. During the Anglo Boer War (1899–1902) the British soldiers, passing through the Transvaal (the Northern Province of South Africa), used them as comfort. Their salute was: “494, boys; 494”. The response was “6 further on, boys; 6 further on”. This was a reference to their Hymnal. Song 494 was “God Be with You Till We Meet Again”. And song 500 was “Blessed Assurance”. (Adapted from the WWW, 3/12/15. http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/l/e/blesseda.htm)
Today my bible reading spoke “blessed assurance” through Romans 8 (ESV):
· 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
· 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
· 31 … If God is for us, who can be against us?
(Read also verse 38 & 39)
Sons of God (Rom.8:14), allow His Spirit to lead you safely through even the darkest valley, so that His rod and staff may protect and comfort you (Ps.23:4).
