01/15/2019
Are we confident in the promises of God? Are we certain enough to stand before Him and after asking something of Him say “now do as you have spoken.”? We serve a God who is true, and whose Word is perfect and without quibble... his promises stand as if stone and are good forever. So why is it that we fear the outcome of our troubles, or the certainty of our salvation?
“And now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and concerning his house, and do as you have spoken.”
2 Samuel 7:25 ESV
I can’t tell you how many times in my life that people have told me something and then gone back on their word. Sometimes when they would tell me that they would do a certain thing, and not live up to the promise they made, their excuse would fall back on some loophole they had cunningly left themselves in their promise, their contract. At other times they would either say that they had never made that promise, or that they simply had changed their mind.
“"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'
Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.”
Matthew 5:33, 37 ESV
God is good and faithful to His Word, and He expects us to be as well. What good would the Bible be to us if even one time God did not stand by a promise He made within its pages? How could we believe anything He said with certainty?
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
Growing up in my family there was a tenet that was taught and reinforced. From grandparents to parents to children came the expression “A man is only as good as his word.”, and this saying went hand in hand with “A man’s word is his bond.” Telling the truth was more than just desirable, it was imperative, and not doing so was a punishable offense, that was followed with a spanking. (Different times called for different punishments and there was no taboo in spankings) It was a rude awakening when I ventured outside my family and found out that not everybody was honorable, or didn’t tell the truth... the lesson of distrust was a hard one to master. Thank God His Word was perfect, and His promises true, because it allowed me to let my guard down and trust in Him. God’s promises were certain...
“Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.”
Matthew 15:28 ESV
Later in life I went off to college at The Virginia Military Institute, and the first thing we learned was that it was ruled by a code of honor... a man did not lie, cheat, or steal, and he did not tolerate those who did. The punishment for these infractions was immediate dismissal from school, and there was no second chance. These rules were so certain that if a cadet thought a situation might in any way be misconstrued, he would avoid it at all cost. Exams were given without a professor to oversee them, and on more than one occasion I saw desks turned to the wall so that there would be no possible way that an errant glance could be interpreted to be cheating. God values truth to this degree. His word is most certainly His bond, and we can depend on it with our lives.
“I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands. Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love. The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
Psalms 119:158-160 ESV
Over and over again in Psalm 119 we hear that God’s Word is true, and this is also repeated throughout the Bible. This truth is foundational, and God is perfect in it.
“Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.
Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.
But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true.”
Psalms 119:140, 142, 151 ESV
So why is it that when we ask God to stand by His Word that we are reluctant to hold Him to it? Why is it that we doubt, and after praying even such obvious things as “thy will be done”, we wonder? Could it be that we are judging His ability and character based upon our own rather than learning to adjust our character and ability to tell the truth, and do the other things, based on His? How is it that we lose hold of the fact that God is Good, and He and His Word are Perfect?
“This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. "For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless.”
2 Samuel 22:31-33 ESV
So we should have the utmost confidence in God’s Word, and His promises. We should trust Him to do as He says, and pray without ceasing... with repetition... that His promises be fulfilled; and they will be. We can count on Him.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the absolute truth in your Word, and thank you for your many promises that are held perfect throughout all eternity. Help me Holy Father to hold to your Word without doubt, or thought of quibbling. Give me a strength of faith that changes my very character to conform to yours, and to make my word which is given to you as strong and firm as yours is to me. Let no oath pass my lips that I don’t, or can’t, stand by. Let my promises to you be made in fear and trembling, so that I can stand by them without falter, and sin. Teach me Merciful Father to never judge your abilities based on my human experience, and shortcomings, but to always judge myself as I reflect your image. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my unwavering God of Truth, and Goodness. Praised be your Name that overshadows all creation. Perfect is your will, your Word, and your Promise, that I can expect eternal salvation, and the other things of which you speak. Glory shines forever from you, and living water pours forth to wash me in the truth of Christ your Son. Great are you and greatly to be praised!
Rich Forbes