Good morning,
Promises, promises, and His Promises
This week in America we will be choosing our president for the next four years? Well, maybe that will be true, but maybe that won’t be true at all. As we have come to this point in time we have been overwhelmed with all kinds of promises from the right and the left in our government. We have been told of the promises made and kept on the one hand and then we have been promised a whole new way of living and being controlled by the other. What has been left out is the fact that God has a plan already in place from the past and for the future that will override any other plans that we make. The people who refuse to believe the God of the Bible can’t change what will happen and then the people who are genuine members of God’s eternal family have been given all kinds of Promises that are impossible to break. God promised us that he loved the world and the people on it. That is totally true. Jesus promised that he would pay the price for our sins. Totally true again. Jesus promised us eternal life if we would trust him. Then Jesus also promised us, "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (Jn.14:15,16) That is an eternal promise for those who obey him. Then again he promises, The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him.(v.17)
The Bible is full of God’s promises from beginning to end about his plans and his plan for each of us who are genuine children of God. Even in times of confusion and fear God promises us, If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?(Rom.8:31,32) No matter how difficult our lives become He promises us, No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.(v.37) Then Paul tells us, I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.(v.38) We are constantly attacked by Satan and the enemies of our Lord, but then we are told, Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.(Rom.8:18,19) Having said all that, we must remember that all that God has promised to those in his family does not include anyone who has just believed in a religious life made up by doing good things now and planning later to get into heaven because of their goodness.
We must remember who makes promises that will always be accurate and just during times like today and the days ahead. We must understand, the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him.(Eph.1:19) Jesus came and lived with us, died and rose again and has been seated, in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.(v.20) We must never forget that any promise that is made by by humans, good or bad, will only be allowed by Jesus who is, far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else–not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ (Vs.20,21) Please Lord, help us to keep remembering that, God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.(Jam.1:12)
Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Roy Wisner
