Townsend wrote the following to the Queen: "To her gracious Majesty, our beloved Queen Victoria, from one of her most humble subjects: With trembling hands, but heart-filled love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure now of our eternal life in the home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask your most Gracious Majesty to read the following passages of Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10. "These passages prove there is a full assurance of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe and accept His finished work. "I sign myself, your servant for Jesus' sake, John Townsend."

After a couple weeks, the preacher received a letter on the queen's stationary. The message read "To John Townsend: Your letter was received, and ... I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me, and trust, by God's grace, to meet you in that home of which He said, 'I go to prepare a place for you'. (Signed) Victoria Guelph." Even the queen of England discovered it is possible to be sure of salvation.

Let's imagine I came to your house and rang the door bell. You came to the door, opened it and said, "Come in, come in." I went into your house but you continued to stand at the door and say, "Come in, come in." What good does that do? Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man will hear my voice and will open the door I will come in to Him .." Many people are like this. One time they prayed and invited Jesus into their heart and life. But maybe they didn't feel anything special. So maybe they go to church and hear a good message. And so they pray again, "Oh God, please come into my life." And later they do it again. And they do it again and again and again.

But now let's change the story a little. Let's say that I came to your house and rang the door bell. You came to the door, but you locked the door and from the inside said, "Come in, come in." What good is that?

Some people are like this too. They go to a meeting. And the preacher says, "If you pray this prayer with me you will become a Christian and go to heaven and live with God forever." So maybe they pray this prayer. But they are NOT sincere. They do not really mean it. They are NOT repentant. They are not sorry for their sin. So they pray, "Jesus, come in. Come into my heart." But they do not really mean it. They lock the door of their heart but they pretend that Jesus is inside. Maybe they start attending church. Maybe they act religious. But they have never really invited Jesus into their heart.

1. YOU ARE IN JESUS' HAND (v. 28)

John 10:28

"And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Imagine I have a coin in my hand and said "This is eternal life, OK?" I put this coin in an envelop: "The envelop represents Jesus." handed it to you. "What do you have? " "Jesus." "Right . . . what else?" "Eternal life?" "Exactly. Titus 1:2" God doesn't lie about His promise of eternal life. You asked Christ into your heart" John 1:12" you are part of God's family now." When you receive Jesus you also receive eternal life. If you have eternal life you will live forever with God in heaven. Does that make sense?

2. YOU ARE IN GOD, THE FATHER'S HAND (v. 29)
In verse 29, "His hand," is the "Father's Hand" Now I will take this coin and put it into my right hand. My right hand now represents Jesus. When you ask Jesus into your heart you are in Jesus' hand. But this verse says you are also in the Father's hand. So my left hand will represent God, the Father. If I have eternal life and I am in Jesus' hand. I am also in the Fathers hand.

One preacher told a story that illustrates the need for our intimacy with God. He often stretched out his arm and cupped his hand as if it held a small, wounded bird. He would ask, "What will happen if I open my hand fully?' They would answer, "The bird will try to flutter its wings, and it will fall and die.'" "Then he asked, "But what if I close my hand?' We say, "The bird will be crushed and die.' Then he smiled and said, "An intimate place is like my cupped hand. Not totally open. Not totally closed. It is the space where growth can take place.'"

Certainly God's powerful hand is to be feared and respected. But for the faithful believer, God's hand is also a place of rest and refuge. When we realize that we are safe in His hand, we can enjoy the secure and untroubled calm He wants for us.

In the center of God's hand we are in the place of love and intimacy and growth and security. God will neither crush us nor let us fall abandoned. No one--not the devil nor our enemies--can take us out of His hand John 10:29. In the intimacy of His presence, we need not be afraid.

My son Benjamin has recently asked Jesus to come into his heart and life. He recently said to his grandpa, "I know I am saved because I am in God's fist. When you see someone hold up his fist what do you think about? He will fight for you. He will protect you. When you are in Jesus' hand He protects you.

3. YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF GOD'S HAND (v. 28-29)
Verses 28 and 29 says

John 10:29

"No one can take them out of (Jesus') hand"

and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. Verse 28 says that the life Jesus gives is eternal life. How long is eternal life? Can eternal life stop? No, eternal means forever. It means everlasting. This is the kind of life Jesus promises those who believe and receive Him.

In Hebrews 13:5 it says

Hebrews 13:5

"for He has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hold your right hand out in front of you. Including your thumb you have five fingers. There are five words in Hebrews 13:5 that say "I will never leave you." Starting with your smallest finger and going to your thumb say one word for each finger, like this, "Jesus will never leave me." Instead of saying "me" you can put your name there. "Jesus will never leave Steve." This is a promise from Jesus that once He comes into your life He will never leave you.

by Steve Nicholes
LINKS TO . . . Other Bible Messages Genesis Esther Daniel Philippians James Complete Discipleship Topics