West Orange church of Christ

06/15/2026

Is God Trustworthy?
by John Robertson

The apostle John, by inspiration, writes “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

God has promised eternal life to those that live in faithful obedience to all his commandments. God has promised that those who obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, by putting him on in baptism, shall be saved (Acts 13:32-39). God has promised that he will be with those that go throughout the world preaching the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). God has promised that if one follows the way of Jesus, they will make their way to God (John 14:6). Do you believe these promises? Is God trustworthy?

The Hebrew writer said, “23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised” (10:23). Again, he writes, “5 Be free from the love of money; content with such things as you have: for himself has said, I will in no wise fail you, neither will I in any wise forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

What brings about trust in such promises? If we understand the word faith to mean trust and confidence, we may reword our question. What brings about faith in God’s promises? The simple answer is Romans 10:17; “faith comes from hearing the word of God.” So, those that read and understand truth gain faith (trust and confidence in God’s promises insomuch that they live faithful till death – Hebrews 11:1ff).

When one reads of creation, God’s providence in causing even events to occur at the beginning, and his marvelous miracles such as delivering the Hebrews out of Egyptian bo***ge, then faith is produced. Again, reading about all the miraculous events surrounding the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is faith producing. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Do you trust in God’s promises? Is God trustworthy?

David said, “7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will make mention of the name of Jehovah our God” (Psalms 20:7). The only way of life that brings about hope is faith in Jesus Christ. Confess your faith in the Lord this day and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins that you may have hope of eternal life (Acts 2:38).

06/14/2026

06/08/2026

Ebenezer
by John Robertson

Israel had sinned against God during the days of Samuel (1 Samuel 6-7). They had turned to the idolatry of Baalim and the Ashtaroth. The Philistines come up against them slaughtering 84,000 men in war. The people “lamented after Jehovah” (1 Samuel 7:2). Samuel demands that the people acknowledge their error and turn back to God. They do so, and God thunders upon the Philistines killing them with a great slaughter.

“12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto has Jehovah helped us. 13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel: and the hand of Jehovah was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel” (1 Samuel 7:12-13).

The application is simple yet powerful. God is our Ebenezer rock in that he helps us in our time of sin (see 1 Peter 2:1-12). Those that call out to God for help are promised that they will receive it (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). Let not pride rule the heart, but rather the spirit of contrition, that you may dwell in the presence of God (Isaiah 57:15).

The song, “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing” mentions our Ebenezer in praise to God for all His help in our lives (see Hebrews 2:18). God; however, can only help those who humble themselves in acknowledging their sin and desire for forgiveness (see 2 Corinthians 7:8-10). May God help us to see our need for his help.

Moses writes, “6 Be strong and of good courage, fear not; for Jehovah your God, he it is that does go with you he will not fail you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).