I know in a world of tweets, short posts and 60 second videos, people are getting accustomed to brief and short moments/teachings and are rushing through almost everything. But I urge you, my friend, to sit back and ponder what God wants to convey to you. I hope you grab a cup of coffee or tea for this one because it’s an important one. Don’t rush through it. Re-read it if you need to.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Let’s let this be the foundation of the post today. God’s plans and heart for you.
It’s been a tactic and scheme and plan of the devil to get God’s people to doubt God’s heart, plans and promises for us since the beginning. When God is speaking His promises over and to us, the devil cunningly and craftily comes alongside us and makes every effort to steal those very promises by trying to get us to doubt God and His words to us. It’s been the same since the Garden of Eden. Let’s read what he spoke to Eve with his slithering, lying tongue.
He said to the woman, “Did God really say…”
Genesis 3:1
When we receive words from God, they become anchors to hold onto, from the moment we receive the word until we see it come to pass.
I was reading the chapters of Abram and Sarai (later renamed by God, Abraham and Sarah). I will list these encounters in order with verse references listed to give understanding of how many times God assured Abram with a promise of what He was going to do for him.
1. Appeared to Abram and gave him His word that he would become a great nation. (Gen 12:2)
2. Appeared to Abram again and told him how He’d bless his offspring (his descendants) (Gen 12:7)
3. Told him was going to bless Abram and his descendants with all of the land as far as his eyes could see (Gen 13:14-17)
Of course time goes by between each of these encounters between God and Abram. In chapter 15, we read of when Abram is asking God of His promise of becoming a father. Years have went by and Abram has become wealthy, has land, has prospered and become great because of the favor of God upon his life. Yet, he has not had any children.
I imagine when he first heard God speak His plans and promises to him, he and Sarah were ecstatic about becoming parents. They probably waited in great anticipation of seeing the promises come to pass. Yet, due to the passing of time, they began to doubt.
Abram begins to speak his doubts. In the years between God’s assurances, thoughts such as “Did God really say you would be a father? Did God really say Sarah would conceive? Did God really say…
He began to ask if his servant would be the one to become his heir because they still didn’t have any children.
Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Genesis 15:4-5
God doesn’t lie. When He speaks a word, it will surely happen! God went above and beyond a simple word for Abram:
- in their first encounter-His Word.
- then a promise
- then a covenant was formed between them
- God also gave him an oath. God puts an oath on top of the promise on top of His word. That sounds pretty iron clad to me! Abram and Sarai’s hearts should have been fully assured that God would do what He said He would do.
Now when God made a promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater than himself, he swore an oath on his own integrity to keep the promise as sure as God exists! So he said, “Have no doubt, I promise to bless you over and over, and give you a son and multiply you without measure!” So Abraham waited patiently in faith and succeeded in seeing the promise fulfilled. It is very common for people to swear an oath by something greater than themselves, for the oath will confirm their statements and end all dispute. So in the same way, God wanted to end all doubt and confirm it even more forcefully to those who would inherit his promises. His purpose was unchangeable, so God added his vow to a promise. So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time-an unshakable hope!
hebrews 6:13-18 TPT
My friend. Let me tell you this! Time does not weaken or diminish God’s promises to you. We all struggle with waiting. I have a journal with promises that God has whispered into my heart that I was so excited to receive when I heard them. There are promises that have come to pass and some that I’m still waiting for. There have been times I’ve struggled with the waiting of seeing His promises come to pass. I do know this, God hasn’t forgotten them!
He is a covenant making and keeping God. We have His assurance. We have His promises. We have His word. Let us be confident when He gives us a word of what He will do! When He says He will bring our prodigals home, He will most assuredly do it! When He says He’s working on our behalf, He really is! When He says He is for us and not against us, He really is for us! When He says He will never leave us or forsake us, He means it. He’s there when we take our first breath and He will be there when we will take our last, and will be there each and every moment between! Whatever He has whispered into your heart, consider it done and praise Him in the time between hearing His promise to you and when you see it come to pass.
But know this, the devil will come along side you and whisper to you relentlessly, “Did God really say…” Did God really say He’d save your family? Did God really say He’d meet all of your needs? Did God really say this will work out. Did God really say He’s for you? Did God really say He loves you? Did God really say…Did God really say?
It reminds of this scene from the series Lord of the Rings when the king had someone constantly whispering lies into his ear and Gandalf yelled at him, “Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth!” You too also have to tell the devil to be silent when he comes to get you to doubt God and His promises. Vigilantly guard your heart and mind. Not every thought you think is from God. Hold onto the promises God speaks to you.