Jesus: The Better Priest - Jesus Is Greater SeriesSample

The Certainty of God's Promises Pt. 2  

Thoughts on the Word

These people are facing the tough question - will God keep His promises when we are facing tough problems? So the writer shows how God does two things to confirm His promise to Abraham - His own word (His promise) and then he gives an oath (a sworn testimony). Neither one will be broken.

Promises from God will happen - guaranteed. 

What will it take for an answer to come? That can be the hard part. Sometimes it is a quick answer – and the promise is quickly fulfilled. Sometimes He requires maturity in our lives that takes time to develop (like promising a car for a child- but waiting until they have learned how to drive safely). Sometimes He waits for the next generation to receive the promise that he gave to us (because we never grew up – the children of Israel faced this. Their children entered the promised land because they refused to walk by faith and trust God). Finally, sometimes He waits because others are not ready even though we are (Jesus had to wait to come to this earth, because the world was not ready. Jesus was ready but the world was not).

When promises do not get answered we can ask why. If it is because of things in our life, then He will show us because He wants to see us receive His promises. CAUTION! It can be painful to hear that we are not mature and ready. We all like to think we are, usually we are not. 

We will talk about Melchizedek tomorrow.

Prayer

Father, what is holding me back from receiving Your promises? You make it clear that your promises always get answered. So that means I have things I must learn. Teach me how to honestly evaluate myself. Give me friends who will honestly evaluate me and my readiness. Above all reveal by Your Spirit Your evaluation of me. Then show how to get to the place where I need to be so I can receive Your promises. Because when I am ready, and You are ready - it will happen! In Jesus' name, Amen.