Tag: Promises
Our Hope is like an Anchor
Scripture reading for October 21: Hebrews 6
“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:17-20
God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19) God’s Word is Truth. (John 17:17) What He has said, He will do. God told Jeremiah that He was watching over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) God made the promises of His Word and His guarantee was Who He was. But God also swore by an oath to keep His Word. These two truths are by God’s design to give us strong encouragement and hope. Hope is the expectation of good things promised. When God promises and swears by Himself to bless His people, we simply say ‘amen’ and patiently wait for the promise to be fulfilled.
Biblical ‘hope’ is not a conditional thing like we use the word in our culture. Biblical hope is confidence inspired by faith in the One Who makes the promises. Our confidence is not in our ability to make the promise happen but that God will fulfill His promises fully and completely. The writer of Hebrews likens this ‘hope’ to the anchor of a ship. If the anchor is attached to something strong, the ship will stay where it is anchored. As believers, our anchor of biblical hope is attached to the very throne of God where Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is seated to hear our cries and prayers and answer. He is there on our behalf and is our “Guarantee” by His eternal priesthood of the order of Melchizedek.
Has anyone ever made you a promise that they did not keep? Do you find yourself doubting the promises God has made of forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life adoption into God’s family? Would you say that you have found the hope in Jesus spoken of that is an anchor for your soul?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me biblical hope as an anchor for my soul in these troubling times. Your Word anchors me in truth. I believe Your promises and await my inheritance. I cry out to Jesus Christ, my High Priest when temptations or troubles come threating my peace. Amen!
What’s in it for me?
Scripture reading for January 27: Matthew 19
“Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Matthew 19:27-30
The rich young ruler had just left with sadness when Jesus had advised him to sell all he had and follow Him. The disciples had listened and observed his sad departure. They began to examine their own sacrifice to follow Jesus. Was it going to be worth it? What would they really have when all was said and done?
As we go through life as believers and followers of Jesus, we all have a tendency to ask the same question as Jesus’ disciples: “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?” The world mocks our decision. Many in our world seem to be enjoying riches, fame, and pleasure who have not given up anything to follow Jesus. But looks can be deceptive. Jesus promised an amazing reward for those who by faith would leave behind the riches of this world and even have broken family ties because of allegiance to Him. There would be a great reversal. Those now considered ‘first’ would then be ‘last’, and those now considered ‘last’ or ‘losers’ would be first!
What impact on your world view does this simple teaching of Jesus have on how you are viewing life in our culture? What is the focus of your life at present? Who, in your view, is now considered ‘first’ in our land? Is there anything that you need to change in your own life and priorities?
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that You have revealed to me that the pursuit of riches is not the way to life eternal. As I grow older and approach life on earth’s end, use me to share Your promises of eternal life and eternal rewards with those who are caught up in trying to be ‘first’. You, Alone, are my reward! Amen.
Sunday rest: “I Will”
Dear friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of His sheep! I am sure glad that I am one of His sheep! I want for nothing today because of His bountiful provisions in the green pastures and beside the still waters. I am comforted by His rod and staff protecting and guiding me. He is leading me and I fear no evil because of His watchful care. I can rest and enjoy safe pasture!
As I think back on this week’s reading in Ezekiel, I think about a passage that I wanted to write about but didn’t. Ezekiel 34 was a message to the shepherds of Israel who have been mistreating the flocks. In this passage, God stated that He would remove these shepherds. Then, in a series of “I Will” promises, He stated how He would shepherd the flock that belonged to Him! God would search for His lost sheep! He would rescue them and bring them out of the nations. He would pasture them on the choice mountain fields of Israel. He, Himself, would tend to their wounds and bind them up. He was going to place over them ‘One Shepherd’, from the house of David, Who would truly care for them and He would live among them forever!
What a vision and Word from the Lord! All His promises are “Yes!” and “Amen!”. He has already fulfilled this promise to those who have received Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd. He’s now about His business of rounding up the lost sheep and bringing them into the fold. He is binding up their wounds and leading them to the green pastures and still waters! Take time on this day of rest to thank your Good Shepherd for His wonderful care. Sit under one of His under shepherds and spend time with His people in worship and adoration, preparing for the glorious fulfilment of these wonderful promises! Jesus is coming soon! In Eager Anticipation, Pastor John
Our God provides everything!
Scripture reading for February 20: Numbers 34-36
The God we serve knows everything! God told Moses about the boundaries of the land He was giving them and how to divide it when they took possession of it. (Numbers 34:2) They had yet to own any of it. They were to cast lots for their portion in the land. “The lot is cast into the lap, but it’s every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33)
As the Israelites entered the land and took possession of it, God had Moses appoint a leader from each tribe to oversee the assignment of the inheritance. The only name that stands out in this list is Caleb. He and Joshua were the only ones left from the generation twenty years old and older who had not perished in the wilderness on the way to the promised land. These two are examples of the veracity of God’s promises. “God is not a man that He should lie.” (Numbers 23:19) God alone knows the end from the beginning and He speaks to His people to build their faith, inspiring them to possess their inheritance.
In these last chapters of Numbers, we find provision for cities of refuge. God knew that His people would need mercy. Emotions get out of control and things happen. Revenge instincts are strong and sometimes violence that causes death erupts. The cities of refuge were scattered throughout the land and provided a place where someone who had killed another could flee from the avenger of blood. (Numbers 35:6) These cities were Levite cities. The Levites had no inheritance but were given cities and pastureland throughout the promised land to use and to minister to the people. Six of these forty eight towns were cities of refuge. They were to mediate the serious situations when someone came for refuge.
Our God does know everything and has good plans for us. He wants us to know those plans and walk by faith and claim our inheritance! He has provided a refuge for any who sin through Jesus Christ! Take time today to ponder some of these promises and by faith possess those that you need today! Our God is on your side!
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32
Jews need salvation!
Scripture reading for June 25th: Romans 9
Paul had a great desire to see his own brothers, the Jews, saved! In fact, he was willing to be cut off from Christ in order to see them come to know Christ! (Romans 9:3) This was the same attitude that Christ, Himself took when He went to the cross on behalf of His brothers! Paul had the Holy Spirit and he reflected God’s heart for the Jews as well as all people!
The Jews should have been the first to recognize Christ. They had the law, the covenants, and the promises of God through the Old Testament Scriptures as well as the lineage of Christ flowing from their line through Abraham! But Paul went on to point out that not all who descended from Abraham were God’s children of promise! (Romans 9:7-9) It was through Isaac that offspring would be reckoned. And even Isaac’s offspring, twins Jacob and Esau, found God’s promise flowing through Jacob and not Esau! This was announced before they were born! Not all Jews were part of God’s plan. Was God unjust?
Paul concluded that the Jews missed out on God’s promise. “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” (Romans 9:30-32)
We learn that we can all, like the Jews, miss God’s promise by trying to work for our right standing with God. We must simply believe in Jesus Christ and rest in the promise of righteousness by faith that has always been the way of God’s children. Have you trusted in Christ?
“Not one promise has failed!”
Scripture reading for March 7th: Joshua 18-21
“So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them, the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:43-45)
God is faithful to His people! I have lived nearly 62 years and found this to be true personally. Our family has been through a number of trials during our journey here on earth. When we farmed, we experienced a severe drought in 1974 and harvested very little. We had been farming only a few years and really could not stand a crop failure. But God brought us through! We had a fire in 1975 that destroyed a large hog building and a large number of animals. It was the only building that was not listed on the insurance policy! God brought us through again! In 1976 we had a tornado strike our farm. It destroyed barns, cattle sheds, machine sheds and trees on both sides of our house. We all survived and God took us through! In 1981 a severe economic crisis hit agriculture as a result of government policies and high interest rates. Many farmers lost their farms and we were deeply in debt, too. God showed us a plan and brought us through again! In 2001, we were 2 miles from the center of a 6.9 earthquake that shook our house, church and city in Olympia, Washington. God brought us through again! I could go on, but I am sure you are understanding my point about God’s faithfulness!
In today’s reading, Joshua is dividing the land because the war in Canaan to possess the land is essentially over. (Joshua 18:2) It took seven years of fighting and following God’s instructions. Not one enemy could stand up against them when they were obedient! Not one promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ever failed! God’s Word is a proven commodity. When everything else in the world is shaking and the worst appears to have happened, God is faithful and His Word is true!
“Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as He has promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave through his servant Moses.” 1st Kings 8:56
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35
The Next Generation!
Scripture Reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 1-4
The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”. Deuteronomy is quoted directly in 17 of the twenty seven New Testament books and alluded to nearly 80 more times. This book is a record of four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel in the last months of his leadership. It records lessons he learned and wanted to pass on to the next generation who would possess the promised land.
Moses has led the nation for forty long years around the wilderness. A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling and complaining and doubt and unbelief. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, himself, will not get to enter the promised land due to his own dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12) Moses seems to blame the Israelites for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 1:37) God does hold leaders to a higher standard because of the revelation and intimacy they share with Him. Moses is trying to impress upon this next generation why their parents suffered consequences of the wandering and death.
Moses also preaches to this next generation to inspire faith in God. His questions to them are typical of the Jewish style of teaching. In chapter 4 he asks them about God. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) The obvious answer is “none!” They are a special people marked by God traveling with them. They are marked by the holiness and love of God’s law which sets them apart from all other nations! They must be careful to teach these truths to their children and grandchildren!
From these first chapters of Deuteronomy, I see several key lessons for us today. First, a record of the past history of God’s dealings helps the next generation learn faith. Moses wanted to pass on the lessons he learned so his children and grandchildren would enter in and possess all God intended for them. We must honor our elders and learn from them. Secondly, the Law, represented by Moses cannot take us into the promised land on our own effort. We need grace and faith in the sacrifice for sins and cleansing. Moses, himself, disobeyed God’s holy Word and was forbidden to enter Canaan. Third, God promises victory to His followers. He disciplines and warns them of potential trouble so that they might succeed. God is truly for his people!
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Father Abram and Faith
January 6th Scripture Reading: Genesis 12-14
About 2000 years before Christ or about 400 years after the tower of Babel, God spoke to a man in Ur of the Caldeans in the land that is now called Iraq. This man’s name was Abram; he was about 75 years old and married to a lady named Sarai. They were childless and already beyond the years of childbearing.
God seems to specialize in hard cases. He likes to challenge people to believe him when he speaks. God speaks to Abram and gives him eight specific promises: (1) I will make you a great nation, (2) I will bless you, (3) I will make your name great, (4) You will be a blessing, (5) I will bless those who bless you, (6) I will curse those who curse you, (7) All peoples of the earth will be blessed through you, (8) To your offspring I will give this land (Canaan). (Genesis 12:2-3, 7.) God then asks Abram to leave his home and go to a land that God would show him. Abram does exactly what God asks him to do. With promises like that, who wouldn’t want in on these blessings and future blessings? We get to see the beginning here of God’s plan to form a people who would by faith obey and follow him. Abram is told that God will make him a great nation when he doesn’t even have a child. Abram is told all nations will be blessed through him. He is promised blessing and protection from God Himself. How can this be? God sovereignly chose Abram, revealed the promises and asked for obedience. Abram believed and acted. Faith is so simple really. Faith looks at God who made the promises and chooses to believe that the one who made the promises is able to fulfill them! That’s exactly what God is calling us to do! Trust in the offspring of Abram, Jesus Christ and receive the blessing promised to all peoples of the earth! He also asks us to bless Abram’s offspring and the nation they formed, Israel. He asks us to believe him now and be blessed and be a blessing. Will you trust him and obey? “Yet he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21 “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29