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The Promises of God
Andrea Lende • November 13, 2020
II Corinthians 1:20
The Promises of God
You can also listen to the meditation and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/The-Promises-of-God-emenh6
II Corinthians 1:20
“For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God.”
Every once in a while, I need to be reminded that God’s promises are real, and they will be fulfilled.
As I read the Word today, I found, once again, the truth that God’s promises will come to pass.
Paul tells the church of Corinth there are many promises that God makes, and they are all positively found in His Son Jesus Christ.
Psalm twenty-three gives us some of God’s beautiful promises to remember:
“The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.”
There are five promises listed in just the first verse alone.
He will shepherd us.
A shepherd tends to the flock – every single sheep.
He makes sure they are fed.
He guides and directs them the way they should go.
He protects them.
He makes sure they lack in nothing.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.”
The Lord makes sure we have peace and rest.
“He refreshes and restores my life (my self).”
The Lord breathes new life in our spirits and lives as He is the God of restoration.
“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
The Lord shows us the right path and right way of living through His Word and gentle whispers.
“Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
The Lord is with us.
As fears try to overtake us, He covers us, so we need not be afraid.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
The Lord lifts us up to places we cannot put ourselves.
He exalts us in front of our enemies.
“Surely only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life.”
What an amazing picture this paints for us.
The promises of goodness and mercy and love chasing us down the street are ours.
Today I choose to believe in all the promises of God and know they will come to pass in my life.
May you find the Lord’s promises are for you and they will most assuredly come to pass.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me of Your promises. Thank You for reminding me Your promises are for me and they will come to pass as You have determined them to be. You are Mighty and Great! I worship You in all Your glory, Father. Only You can set the mountains in their place. Only You can warm this earth with the immense heat of the sun. Only You can spin the earth one thousand miles per hour and not one of us can feel it move. Thank You, Father, for watching over me, protecting me, leading me into all peace, providing for me, guiding my every step, lifting me up, being merciful to me, and loving me beyond my comprehension. Thank You, Lord, for all You do and all You are. May You increase my faith and trust in You. When I am weak, remind me of Your great promises and help me continue to believe they are for me. May You strengthen me in all ways so I can be of service to You. Help me do as You ask, Father. Help me bless Your people, Lord. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM the Great Shepherd and will take care of you in all ways, My child.
Response: Thank You, Almighty Father and God of the universe.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.