When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I was not a believer. I was living a sinful worldly life. I was still going to church on Sunday, but I was ungodly Monday to Saturday. Actually, often on Sunday too.
There were times when my conscience stirred and I realized I had to stop living as I was doing. I would make promises to God. I promise to stop doing this or that bad thing. I promise to start doing this or that good thing.
However, no matter how many times, I made these promises to myself and to God, I couldn’t keep them. The weekend would roll round again, and the broken promises would join the growing pile of broken promises in my life.
I promised and failed, promised and failed. I needed something more than my promises. What was that? We find the answer in Genesis 15:1-6.
FAITH NEEDS GOD’S PROMISES
God assured Abram he was his shield and reward. He would protect him and provide for him (1). But Abram’s greatest need was a son (2-3). This was not just because he wanted to be a Dad, but because he wanted the world to have Gospel blessings through his children as God had promised (Gen. 12:1-5).
This promise was fulfilled physically in Isaac and the great nation of Israel. It was fulfilled spiritually in Christ and his spiritual descendants (Gal.3:16). It’s complete, total and ultimate fulfilment will be at the close of history when all will see Christ and his seed as a multitude greater than any man can number (Rev.7:9).
Our promises are shaky, but God’s promises are sure.
So, is having God’s promises enough? No, it’s not enough to have God’s promises, we need to believe them as well.
FAITH BELIEVES GOD’S PROMISES
In John 8:56 Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad”. Abram looked forward to the “day” when in Christ all the families of the earth would be blessed. That “day” commenced at the first coming of Christ, continues in the present, and will be consummated at the last day.
We're not saved by making promises to God but by believing the promises of God
LIVING THE BIBLE
Believe God’s Christ-centered promises and be counted righteous by faith.
When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I was not a believer. I was living a sinful worldly life. I was still going to church on Sunday, but I was ungodly Monday to Saturday. Actually, often on Sunday too.
There were times when my conscience stirred and I realized I had to stop living as I was doing. I would make promises to God. I promise to stop doing this or that bad thing. I promise to start doing this or that good thing.
However, no matter how many times, I made these promises to myself and to God, I couldn’t keep them. The weekend would roll round again, and the broken promises would join the growing pile of broken promises in my life.
I promised and failed, promised and failed. I needed something more than my promises. What was that? We find the answer in Genesis 15:1-6.
FAITH NEEDS GOD’S PROMISES
God assured Abram he was his shield and reward. He would protect him and provide for him (1). But Abram’s greatest need was a son (2-3). This was not just because he wanted to be a Dad, but because he wanted the world to have Gospel blessings through his children as God had promised (Gen. 12:1-5).
This promise was fulfilled physically in Isaac and the great nation of Israel. It was fulfilled spiritually in Christ and his spiritual descendants (Gal.3:16). It’s complete, total and ultimate fulfilment will be at the close of history when all will see Christ and his seed as a multitude greater than any man can number (Rev.7:9).
Our promises are shaky, but God’s promises are sure.
So, is having God’s promises enough? No, it’s not enough to have God’s promises, we need to believe them as well.
FAITH BELIEVES GOD’S PROMISES
In John 8:56 Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad”. Abram looked forward to the “day” when in Christ all the families of the earth would be blessed. That “day” commenced at the first coming of Christ, continues in the present, and will be consummated at the last day.
We're not saved by making promises to God but by believing the promises of God
LIVING THE BIBLE
Believe God’s Christ-centered promises and be counted righteous by faith.