85. Faithful to his promises.

'The Lord is faithful to all his promises ...' (Psalm 145:13) Unlike men who never keep all their promises, God is faithful to keep all his promises. When God wanted Abraham's attention, he promised to give him all that he longed for - a son and some land - and even more! More land (Genesis 15:18) and more descendants than he could count! (Genesis 22:17) The promises sounded impossible! Yet because God himself was making the promises, 'Abraham believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.' (Genesis 15:6) Making good on the promises was an easy matter to God but he didn't make it easy for Abraham! He had to wait in faith for 25 years to finally have a son because God had other greater purposes for Abraham! Why does God call us with promises? Firstly to get our attention because he knows what we were longing for and attracts us with his great promises, just as he did Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) Secondly, the promise sustains us during the time of waiting, just as it did Abraham. Thirdly, the promise reveals the will and eternal purposes of God, just as it was revealed to Abraham. 'The Scriptures foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.'... He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.' (Galatians 3:8-9,14) The Gospel is the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham. So will he fulfill all his promises to us just as Joshua testified to the Israelites: "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed." (Joshua 23:14) Amen.