Taking promises seriously seems to be something this generation has a hard time grasping. It’s easy to sign our name on the dotted line to commit to a contract, but it’s also easy to forget our promises when the going gets rough.
We see marriages falling apart at an alarming rate primarily due to the fact that promises are no longer life-time binding covenants. In fact, we make promises so easily and without so little thought that the word “promise” has become subjective to the will of the guarantor. The integrity of a solid promise has been diluted by self-preservation, selfishness, and other self-type words. We’re all guilty, so be careful not to look around to find someone else to blame.
Sadly, the way we approach promises is the way we perceive God’s commitment to the promises He made to us in His Word. We struggle with believing God to make good His promises to us because the power of a promise has been devalued in our contemporary times.
Abraham had received a promise from God, one that seemed like it would never or COULD never be fulfilled as he and his wife were both well up in years. Yet, he understood that when God made a promise, it was as good as done; He always comes through.
Abraham also understood, however, that God’s promises were conditional upon his response. Most of His promises were and still are based on the premise that, “If you will … then I will!” In other words, we have to align ourselves with the will and purposes of God in order to receive all that He has promised to us.
But, how do we know the will of God? He shows us in His Word. A fulfilling Christian life cannot be attained if we neglect to read and study His Word. His Word should take a place of priority in our lives. Many times believers find themselves praying and doing all manner of good works, but they neglect to fellowship with Him in His Word. The Word is alive, it is His heartbeat. The Word is the image of Christ revealed to us. Without His Word, we would have no clue of the glorious, majestic, mighty God we serve. Faith is built in His Word. And without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Hebrews 6:15).
Abraham had a word from the Lord—a living rhema word from the Lord. A promise. A vision from God. But even more than that, Abraham had an established relationship with the Lord. He knew God’s voice. He knew God.
We would all like to have the faith of Abraham. But, we CAN have it. We only need to know God as He reveals Himself in His Word and we’ll be able to stand in faith, not wavering, to receive His promises, just like Abraham and so many others whose testimonies are preserved in Scripture. If we endure, if we have patience, we will obtain that which He has promised. Hallelujah.
Father, help me to be more patient, enduring until I see the manifestation of Your promises in my life. Lord, I want to know Your voice; I want to walk in Your will for my life. I want to have an Abraham-type relationship with You. Father, help me never to neglect Your Word as my faith continually needs to be built up. Lord, I love you; may my life be pleasing to You, Amen.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
© Jan Ross
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