Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Promise

Have you ever studied Promises in the Bible? My favorite promise and one of the first ones recorded for us to watch unfold was the promise God gave to Abraham about being the father of many nations. If you know this old story, then you know that Abraham was married to Sarah and they were married a long, long time, and were unable to have children. All along their journey, God sent word by messengers and Himself told Abraham that his descendants would be as many as the grains of sand near the ocean. But years passed by and there was no promise fulfilled. The Bible says that "with all hope gone, Abraham had faith in hope of the promise." And in his and Sarah's old age, a son was given to them. And the people that God lovingly calls His children began with a son named Isaac.
But there was another Promise yet to be fulfilled. When sin entered the world, God's plan was to send a Redeemer to make a way for us to come back to him. Not the same way as in the garden, but a Savior, a sin debt paid "once for all" - and the plan was His Son. But there were many silent years when the children of Israel, Abraham's descendants had no word from God. He was silent. There are no books of the Bible to bridge the years of silence. But quietly, the children of Issac prayed and awaited "The Promise". The petitioned their quiet God, asking for Him to send the Promised One. "Emmanuel is sure to find us soon...." Quiet waiting is so hard.
And then there was a angel who was sent to speak to a young girl, whom had been chosen to be the mother of Creation's child. She was a virgin, but had been promised as someone's wife, Joseph - a good, God-fearing man. She would be the blessed one who would bring God's Son into this world, The Promised One had been sent to us. He didn't arrive on a big white horse. He didn't have a coronation ceremony. There were no royal robes and silver spoons. It was a quiet night, in a cold manger, when His mother and His earthly father would watch Him take his first breath. God's child entrusted to them to raise as one of us.
You know, Abraham knew God very well. He had one promise to be fulfilled. But I know my Jesus, and He's given me 1000's of promises in His Word. And each and every one of them are promises to be fulfilled, if we trust and have faith. Promises given to me from the Promised One!

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