HE HIMSELF: An Amazing Double Emphasis

… being content with what you have;
for He Himself has said,
“I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you,”
 so that we confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5b NASB

In this post, I’m focusing on another of my favorite words. Himself!
He Himself … Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God and Son of Man.

He Himself has been and will continue to be the Focus, the Emphasis of my life, because He IS my LIFE.

And the grammar itself says so. “Himself” is termed a “reflexive pronoun.”

Reflexive pronouns, like myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves and themselves, refer back to a person or thing in the sentence.
A reflexive pronoun, immediately following the noun [or pronoun] to which it refers, is used in order to place special emphasis on it.

So then He HIMSELF becomes intensive! “Specially emphasized” and rightfully so, because HE is ALL. [Is He all to you too?]

My favorite Scripture containing the intensive HE HIMSELF also has a double negative (even triple, in the original language) to further emphasize the intense nature of the truth spoken by our God to us.

And so rejoice with me at the intense desire on the part of our amazing Lord HIMSELF that we would grab hold of the truth of His continual presence with us:

… being content with what you have; for He [God] Himself has said,
I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.
[I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless
nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say,

The Lord is my Helper;
I will not be seized with alarm
[I will not fear or dread or be terrified].
What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:5-6 AMPC

Glory to You, O JESUS! You YOURSELF are all we need. And You YOURSELF are Who we have … forever. AMEN.

+++++++++++++++++

Years ago, I found a poem in a devotional book that grabbed my heart and soul. And later, I discovered it was the end to a magnificent sermon by A. B. Simpson. I loved it so much, I have copied it and handed it to almost every Bible study group I have led ever since.

So here’s the poem and the song and a link to the sermon…
[Next time, some additional “intensive” Scriptures]

HIMSELF

by A. B. Simpson

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once ’twas painful trying, Now ’tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once ’twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once ’twas constant drifting, Now my anchor’s cast.

Once ’twas busy planning, Now ’tis trustful prayer;
Once ’twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once ’twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once ’twas constant asking, Now ’tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He’s mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail.