In the biography of Harriett Tubman, also known affectionately as "Moses" for her work in helping black people escape from slavery in America, she is quoted as saying, "God, He's helped me six times, and He never failed me on the seventh either." This is based on a verse of Scripture in the book of Job, in which Eliphaz says to Job, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." (Job 5:19, KJV).
This is a wonderfully encouraging verse. Here is how it is translated in some of the modern versions:
"He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you." (Job 5:19, NET).
"From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you." (Job 5:19, NIV)
"From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you." (Job 5:19, NASB)
This numerically stepped sequence is often found in the Hebrew Scriptures, in which a number is given and then one more is added to it to denote completeness. Here we have the reference initially to six troubles, and then he adds one more to make it seven, showing how God will never fail you. Unlike Tubman's old saying, this Scripture refers to the future and not the past. It is saying that God will always deliver you from whatever you may go through, not only from six calamities, but even from seven. You can count on God, no matter what. No matter how dark and hopeless your situation may seem, you can be sure that if you call upon the name of the Lord, He will rescue you.
Likewise, when we consider all that He has already done for us in the past to bring us through various hardships, as Tubman did, it fortifies our faith to believe that He will also surely see us through our present trial as well. As John Newton the former slave trader wrote in his famous song Amazing Grace, "Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace shall lead me home."
No matter what kind of trial you may be going through right now, let me encourage you today to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for help. I can assure you that He will deliver you not only from six troubles, but even in seven no harm will touch you. God is faithful. The Psalmist wrote, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Ps 55:22, NIV). And the apostle Peter wrote, "The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials." (2 Pe 2:9, NET).
Attribution notice: Some Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Other Scripture quotations from The Holy Bible, NIV and the NET Bible.
Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, I recommend reading The Afflictions of the Righteous, Overcomers in This Life, Even if it doesn’t happen like we expect , Speak to the Storm, The Refiner's Fire, and The Glory of Martyrdom for Christ. You may also like the other posts in this blog available through the Home page for this blog, and you can also find my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
