Remembering God's Promises On the Journey
Back to Africa

Sunday, October 21, 2007

God's Word contains many promises for His children. Today's sermon was a great reminder that with God's promise comes problems. In the beginning of the pages of Scripture we see God promising Abraham (then called "Abram") a son. Abraham tells God that since he has no son, one born in his household is his heir (Gen. 15:3). God then told Abraham " 'This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir' " (3:4). God then does an amazing thing. He takes Abraham outside to look at the sky and see the multitudes of stars above telling Abraham his offspring shall be like these stars. God is asking him to dream. He is requesting Abraham to see the very promise of God as if it exists already- as the stars do. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb. 11:1). He is asking Abraham to trust Him and to obey Him. Previously God had also told Abraham to leave his country and go to a land God will show him (Gen 12:1-3).Again, God was requesting Abraham's trust and obedience. So, how did he respond? The Word says that Abraham went forth "as the Lord has spoken to him" (12:4).

What is God speaking to you about today? Or what has He promised you in the past that He desires to see come about in your lifetime? Have you given up hope? Take heart! Abraham faced many obstacles after receiving God's promise. He did not see in the physical realm how what God had promised could come to pass. He was told he would have his own son with Sarah, his wife, yet him and his wife were advanced in years. Could they really conceive at their ages? Also, Sarah had not had any children so far. Was she even able to have kids? A promised land... Well, then why was it inhabited? Abraham clearly had many questions and struggles. Many things in the physical realm, things he could tangibly see, seemed to be at odds with what God had said would be. Does this apply to you? Did God make a specific promise to you or do the promises found in His Word appear to be so contrary to what you see in your life or your job or your marriage or your schooling? Trust Him. He is eternally trustworthy. Obey Him. He desires every ounce of who you are and all the days of your life. This may seem like a pretty huge sacrifice to make. From what I can tell not one bit of it - no matter what the cost to go through it- will be wasted." 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for your welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope' " (Jer. 29:11). He has great things is store for you. Follow Abraham's example of trust and obedience and just wait to see what unfolds!