Lesson for the Lord’s Day
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. Romans 4:18
Old Abraham was well past child-raising years, and old Sarah was well past child-bearing years, so there was no hope of them having children. No hope, that is, in the circumstances. The circumstances were entirely devoid of hope. But Abraham had something better than circumstances; he had God’s promise. And, with God’s promise, it didn’t matter what the circumstances were, Abraham was going to have an heir. And he did! And you and I today are beneficiaries of that promise. Can we exercise such hope today? We can! If God gives us a promise, He will keep that promise, no matter what!
Many of God’s rich and precious promises to us have become so ingrained and have been repeated so often that we take them for granted. We know and appreciate the promise that our Lord is preparing a place for us in His Father’s House, and that He will come again for us. But it doesn’t thrill us daily as it should. We know and appreciate His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. But it doesn’t thrill us hourly as it should. We need to examine these and other great promises from Scripture and allow ourselves to be impressed with their greatness and overwhelmed with their value.
But what about other promises? Some friends of ours recently told us that God promised to care for them as they made major changes in their lives. Despite great uncertainties, they enjoyed God’s provision and the peace that comes with following what God had led them to do. God can and does guide us as we seek to live our lives for him. His guidance always comes with a promise that he will care for us. Such promises are hard to grasp sometimes, as we see the circumstances beginning to work against us. But, like Abraham, we need to see past the circumstances and appreciate the God Who made us the promises.
Has Abraham received all of God’s promises? Scripture tells us no. Actually, it tells us not yet. Abraham is still waiting for the fulfillment of all the promises he received. God’s timing in fulfilling promises is not necessarily our timing. But it will be better timing. In His infinite wisdom, God knows when we need His promises fulfilled.
Our God is greater than any circumstances, and His promises are more sure than earth’s certainties. If He has given us a promise, He cannot fail to fulfill it. -Jim MacIntosh