THE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S PROMISES

As David made a vow or promise to build a temple for God in the first part of Psalm 132, God made a vow or promise to David that his throne would be filled with his descendants if his descendants obeyed Him. Psalm 132:11-12 says, "The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: 'I will place one of your descendants on your throne. If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.'" God's vow is always reliable and dependable because of His holy character. His vow or promise to David is conditional. His descendants must obey God's laws in order for them to stay on the throne. However, David's sons did not obey God's laws; as a result, God allowed the nation of Israel to be taken into captivity, and their city to be destroyed, including the temple. It seems the throne of David had ended, but when Jesus came from the line of David, He is the one who would continue the throne of David, and it will be eternal. Jesus is the perfect King of Israel. The first time Jesus came into this world, He came to save us from our sins through His death and resurrection. In His second coming, which we are all waiting for, He will return as the King of Kings, and all peoples on the earth will acknowledge that He is the King. He will rule the earth from Jerusalem for a thousand years. 

God's promise must not be taken lightly because whatever God promises is certain to be done. God fulfills His promise not according to our timing, but according to His purpose. His promise does not go along with our time because His promise can be fulfilled after we pass away. In other words, God's promise is timeless because He is timeless. God is not bound by our time. For example, Jesus will one day return to this earth to continue the throne of David. This return may happen during our lifetime or after we have passed. But regardless, it is certain that it will occur because God has promised it. God's promise that He is always with His children is true and real (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what we are going through, He is always with us. Even when He allows us to suffer to teach and humble us, He is with us. In our suffering, He gives us the strength to endure. And in His timing, He delivers us from our suffering. Let us not worry or panic when we are going through difficult problems because God is with us. He is with us, walking us through our difficulties. 

We can depend on God's promises, for He is Holy. He always does what He promises. Ever since I gave my life to our Lord Jesus, God has always been with me through the joys and difficulties of life. He never once broke His promise to me. We can always depend on God, for He always fulfills His promises.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) List some of the wonderful promises from God that are found in His Word. Do I trust and rest in God's promises? What happens when I trust in God's promises, especially when I am dealing with difficult problems?

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, Your promises are true, and I can rely on them. Thank you that You are trustworthy. You accomplish what you said you are going to accomplish. Please help me to trust and rest in Your promises, especially in my difficult problems and challenges. When I am in doubt, I know that You are going to carry me through and take care of me because of Your unfailing promises. Thank you that I am secure in Your promises. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.