He Keeps His Word

 

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

⁶ For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

Psalm 103:1-7 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

⁵ Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

 

• Who is this God whom you and I serve; whom we worship?
• Who has promised to forgive us of our sins, who has promised to go and make a place for us?
• Who has promised to raise our physical bodies out of the grave?
• How would you describe Him?
  • Many people do not understand who He is.
  • In order to know our God, we must know His ways. Psalm 103:1-7
  • The acts of God are the things He does.
  • The ways of God include why He does them.

 

One of God’s ways: He keeps His promises.

 

Two types of promises:

1. Absolute declarations: are unconditional and will come to pass without any act on a human’s part

 

1. Conditional statements: are dependent upon our cooperating with Him

 

• When God says, “I will,” He will. There are no exceptions. We should take seriously what God says.

 

In a number of biblical incidences, God says, “I will.”

 

2. Noah and the Flood. Genesis 6:7-8,18.
The world was so corrupt that God decided to wipe out everyone except Noah and his family.

• Genesis 7:1,5
• Genesis 7:21-24
• God kept His Word and destroyed everything.

3. Abraham. Genesis 12:1-3. God promised Abraham that He would bless him and make him a great nation.

• This was an absolute declaration of God.
  It was not dependent on Abraham’s obedience. (In fact, Abraham did disobey.) Genesis 17:15-19. God promised to give Abraham a child through Sarah.
• Sarah laughed at this declaration but God asked, “Is anything too difficult for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)
• Genesis 21:1-2. Sarah bore a son; the promise was fulfilled.
• Sometimes we don’t believe God is speaking to us because it seems impossible or impractical.
• God gave Abraham the land of Israel, and there is no indication He ever changed His mind about it.

4. Moses.  Exodus 3:10. God told Moses to be his spokesman, and that God would deliver the people of Israel.

• This was an absolute declaration, but Moses argued with God! (Exodus 3:11-12)
• God promised to harden Pharaoh’s heart. (Exodus 6:1)
• Through the death of the first born son, Pharaoh finally relented. (Exodus 12:30-33)
• At the Red Sea, God promised to deliver them without any fighting.
• We have to learn to be obedient to God, but not expect Him to give us all the details.

 

5. Joshua. Joshua 1:1-5. God promised to be faithful to Joshua, just as He was to Moses.

• At The Battle of Jericho. Joshua 6:1-2. God told Joshua to march around the city, blowing trumpets.
  • Pattern your spiritual life after someone who’s following Jesus.
  • Because Joshua was obedient to God, he went from victory to victory.
  • He had learned from Moses to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

The principle is true today:

• God’s willing to speak to any of us if we’ll listen to Him.
• If something is a crucial decision, God will speak to you, too.
• He has wonderful things in store for you, and He’s just waiting for you to say “yes.”

 

6. In the New Testament…Jesus demonstrated that He keeps His word:

 

• In (Matthew 16:21-23) Jesus predicted his death.
• Peter rebuked him, although Peter had been the one to declare that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God in (Matthew 16:13-16)
• The church is built on the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. (Matthew 16:17-18)
• The gates of hell will not be able to withstand the attack of the church. (Matthew 16:18)
• The church grows the strongest under persecution and hardship.
• Jesus also predicted his resurrection and promised to send the Holy Spirit.

 

So, How does this apply to our lives today? 

God promises:

• To save us, if we believe by faith. (Romans 10:9)
• Never to leave us once we are saved.
• To return for us, and gather us in the air to Himself. (1 Thessalonians 4)
• To take us to live in the home Jesus has prepared in Heaven.
• We will reign with Him. (Revelation 22:3-5)
• What God promises, He will do!