It's a Sure Thing
Opening Prayer
Father God, I thank You that I know You can be counted on to keep all Your many wonderful promises.
Read Hebrews 6:13-20
[13] When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, [14] saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” [15] And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. [16] People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. [17] Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. [18] God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. [19] We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, [20] where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How do we know God will keep his promises?As I wrote this, we’d just come through a long period of uncertainty about what the future held; should we stay put or move on? We felt God wanted us to move, and by the time you read this, we will have done so. But there were a lot of ups and downs in the process. It took an emotional toll and at times the blow of a rejection was particularly hard. We wondered why God was allowing it when we’d been so sure the move was right. At one point I said, “Well–either we trust God, or we don’t.” Try saying that phrase with the emphasis on the word “God”; that’s what this passage is about. We trust in the utter unchangeable faithfulness of God’s promises, and of God himself. The hope we have firmly anchors us to him through what Jesus has done for us. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life” (John 6:68, GNT). However difficult it seems, however stupid people think we are to trust God, our hope in him is a certainty and will never be misplaced.
Apply
Carefully write down the things that you are sure of as a Christian. Thank God for his faithfulness and love.
Closing prayer
Lord God, keep my faith in You and in Your promises firm and secure, no matter what others may think.
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