STANDING FIRM ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
Standing firm on the promises of God can at times be very hard to do especially in the society that we currently live in. At times, we may wait for years before we can see the promises of the Lord actually come through. When we read in the Old Testament, we read about Abraham whom the Lord had promised a son. In Genesis 12:1-4, when Abraham was 75 years old, the Lord promised him a son.
Some may think that this is impossible but with God, all things are possible. However, during the years, Sarah grew impatient and told Abraham to go into her servant Hagar, Genesis 16. At the age of 86, Abraham’s son, Ishmael, was born through Hagar. This, however, was not the promised son. For this promise to fully come through, Abraham had to wait another 14 years. Abraham trusted God despite how old he was. He knew that God’s word is truth.
Due to her impatience, after Ishmael was born, Sarah started to develop a not so liking of Hagar anymore. This must have cause some tension in the household of Abraham.
Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart
After the promise child, Isaac, was finally born, tension was more evident in the household of Abraham.
Genesis 21: 8 – 13 reads as follows:
The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”
11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring[a] will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”
Although it saddened Abraham to sent Ishamel away, the Lord told Abrham not to worry but to do as Sarah told me. He willing did not question it but obeyed.
It can be said that because Abraham had a relationship with the Lord, he knew that God’s word is truth.
If we are being honest with ourselves, we probably would not even want to listen much less to comply because we would be stressed.
Could it be that was would not obey because we do not trust in the Lord even though we have seen and experienced His faithfullness in the past.
HE IS NEVER CHANGING
The Lord is never changing because He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore because of this, we can always depend on Him and stand firm on the promises of God because He is not a man that is made of flesh and blood and He cannot lie. When we look at Noah, after the flood, the rainbow was placed in the sky as a covenant to Noah. We all know the story where the Lord promised Noah that He would not destroy the earth by flood again.
Scripture tells us that we are to walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7. We are also told that without faith it is impossible to please God. Despite how long it is taking for God’s promises to come through, we must at all times remain steadfast and have no doubts. Be diligent and stand firm on the promises of God although it can at times be difficult to hold on?
I am not going to tell you that it is easy. At times, I find myself doubting the Lord but despite the doubts from the enemy, we have to push all doubts and fear aside and hold us because God’s word is truth.
Although this may not work for you but I find that in the season of waiting, I pressing in more. I draw closer to the Lord by getting more into His Word, speaking to Him more, just soaking up His presence more and more. Does this helps during the waiting process, yes it does but that does not mean the enemy will not come in to try and cast doubt but you just have to just hold on.
The scripture tells us that when we have the spirit of heaviness, we are to put on the garment of praise (Isaiah 63:1).
Put On The Armour of God
In Ephesians 6:11 we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to put on the armor of God and one of them the shield of faith. With this shield of faith, we can rest assured that no matter what the enemy is throwing at us, we know that the Lord will keep all His promises and because He is a promise keeper, we can stand firm on the promises of God . Throughout the Bible we read that God is faithful and God’s Word is truth.
When you are able to trust in the Lord with all your heart, even when all hope seems lost, you will not be overtaken but you will overcome.
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART
At times we may find it difficult to trust in what the Lord has told us. While we may not be able to see the end, we must not forget that He is the Alpha and the Omega. He knows the end even before it happens. I can attest to this when it comes to trusting.
Sometime last year (2021) I started a business printing t-shirts and all things that are based on the goodness of Christ Jesus. I was so scared to step out because so many negative thoughts kept coming in my head. But despite what my mind was telling me, I kept pressing on and stood firm on the Lord’s promises. I went from not having a clue with regards to creating t-shirts, to now creating hoodies, stickers and bookmarks, notebooks, just to name a few.
I am still scared, of course I am but instead of trusting in my own abilities, I stand on Jeremiah 29:11, where He tells me that He knows the plans He has for me. I also stand on Philippians 4:13 where He tells me that I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Instead of trusting in my own strength, I have come to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me.
I am not going to say that everyday is cloud nine so to speak, but instead of giving up and throwing in the towel, I keep putting one foot forward. I keep showing up for work even when I do not feel like doing it. I do this because I know that God’s Word is truth.
Do I know what is going to happen with this business? Of course not but there are so many bible verses that confirm the promises of the Lord and each time the enemy wants to plant the seed of doubt, I am gently reminded by the Holy Spirit about the many promises.
We do not know what the future brings but with God on our side, we can rest assured that it is going to be great. This is why it is so important that you trust in the Lord with all your heart and in doing so, He will direct your path.
Final Thoughts
Our God is faithful to us and we are told that if we confess with our mouth, He will forgive us our sins and because of this, we can stand firm on the promises of God. It does not matter what sin we have committed, He will forgive us when we repent. Does this mean that if we comint a crime, we will get away? No, no, He is a just God and because of this whatever, sin we have commited, any consequences from this sin, we will have to pay. It is at this time,, we will realise that He is there beside us comforting us while we “pay the time” so to speak.
The Lord your God is faithful and wants us all to have eternal life, this is why when He made the promise in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:15, the promised Messiah was foretold to come. This is another evidence that shows that God’s Word is truth. Whatever He says, it will come to pass.
When life is throwing the kitchen sink and everything in it at you, stand firm on the promises of God as well as your faith knowing that you serve a faithful Father who takes full responsibility for you and wants only the best for you.
Feeling afraid, do not be discouraged because the Lord Jesus is able.
Thank you very much for taking the time out the read this blog posts, and I hope that you are encouraged. If the Lord has promised you something, hold unto it because He is faithful and He will come through and remember, no matter what, trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
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