Will God deliver what He has promised? Can we trust God? Quick Hit! 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. We make promises all the time. We sign for loans and commit our future income to repay the loan. Our future income is the guarantee of us fulfilling our promise to repay a loan. God made a promise to Abraham. He had nothing to use as a guarantee for His promise, so He used Himself. When Jesus promised us eternal life, He guaranteed it in His own blood. In fact, the Holy Spirit living inside of us is said in scripture to be the deposit for our final salvation. In other words, the Holy Spirit living inside of us gives us the assurance that when we die, we go to live forever with Christ. Point is, if you are a Believer, then the end will be spectacular for you. If you are not a Believer, then we need to talk. Let’s take this one a little deeper. 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. Meaning – In this passage, God confirms His promise of salvation by Himself. When the oath is made (verse 6) there is no more room for argument. God swore by Himself. He is the guarantee of our eternal life in Him. This is the same as when we promise something to someone else. We give them some assurance that what we have promised will come to pass. Usually, it is our word to our friends. Sometimes we may say something like, “If I don’t ____, then I will ____.” God has put Himself on the line. He is guaranteeing our salvation. This promise is to be like an anchor for us. No matter what happens in this life, we know that one day this life will end, and we have the promise of eternity with Him in Heaven. Just as the high priest of old, Jesus made one sacrifice for sins and is now our High Priest. The priest ‘s job was to go to God for the people. Jesus is the means by which we get to God. He have a firm hope. That hope sustains us through the problems of life. Application – There is nothing more sure than God’s promises. God will fulfill what He has promised. This 100% fulfillment extends beyond salvation. But you might doubt God. You might doubt that what God has said will come true. As my mom faces death in the next year, I have had that very question in my mind, “Is what I believer really true?” Where do we find the assurance that what we believe is true and that God will do what He said? In the Bible. There is no substitute. Two reasons for being in the Word constantly. First, that is where we find our assurance. Are you having problems with doubt? Then dive into the Word and overcome doubt. Second, there are tons of promises in the Word that fit the struggles of your everyday life and mine. Dive into the Word and find the promises that apply to your situation. Then write down those promises. Memorize those promises. And watch as God does what He promised in your life. Know the Word and live the Word. God is faithful. Let Him demonstrate that to you today. Please share this devotional so your friends can be challenged as well. Hope you have a great day. On Facebook - https://facebook/practicaldevotional On Blogspot - practicaldevotional.blogspot/
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:32:07 +0000