God's Promises and God's Law

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
July 31, 2009

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Galatians 3:16-18)

Early in our meditations, we considered one of the most profound subjects in the Scriptures: the relationship between the grace of God and the law of God. These verses engage a comparable subject: the relationship between God's promises and God's law.

Again, we are reminded of God's fundamental use of promises in bringing forth His will among mankind. "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made." God made far-reaching promises to Abraham and his descendants, promises that included the coming of the Messiah, the anointed King, the Savior. Although these promises guaranteed an innumerable posterity to Abraham, this statement specifies one descendant in particular. "He does not say, 'And to seeds,' as of many, but as of one, 'And to your Seed,' who is Christ." The Lord Jesus Christ is in view here. The promises that were the root of the new covenant of grace were made by the Father to His Messiah (as well as to Abraham). "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made." God provides us added assurance here. The Father's primary commitment was to His Son!

Now, what about the law of God, which was added hundreds of years later? Could the law possibly have replaced the promises to Abraham and to the Son of God? "And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ." The promises of God to Abraham and to His Son were not nullified by the giving of the law of God ("that it should make the promise of no effect" ). People, through their own law performance, cannot become heirs of that which God promises to His children. If they could, then God's blessings are no longer based on God's fulfillment of His promises. "For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise." This cannot be, because "God gave it to Abraham by promise." God's work among mankind stands on His ability to fulfill His promises. It does not depend on our ability to live up to the perfect law of God.

Dear Father, my heart is assured of these promises of blessing for man that you made to Your Son. My heart rejoices that Your work in my life rests on Your promises and not on my performance, Amen.

Salvation in Jesus

Daily Promises
Blue Letter Bible
July 31, 2009

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

As believers in Christ, we should not be ashamed of the Gospel because it is this very Gospel that has snatched us from the pit of hell. This wonderful news is open to anyone who will believe upon Jesus as Christ and Lord. Rejoice in this good news! Take heart in the wonderful mercies of the Lord! Be not ashamed for the sake of your life-giving faith! Proclaim the lovingkindness of the Lord unto all the nations with boldness that we who believe might fruitfully multiply the kingdom of heaven! Persevere in His strength, making disciples of all the world that others might share in the Gospel-joy that we, ourselves, have been granted to embrace!

We confess with shame

(Henry Law, "Family Prayers")

O Eternal God, who alone has immortality, ever living in glory, unchanged, unchangeable, bend down Your ear to hear. We confess with shame--past hours wasted in unprofitable reading and other worldly entertainments. If future days are ours--guide us that no more time be squandered in vain pursuits.

Impress on our minds . . .
the shortness of time,
the work to be done,
the account to be rendered,
the nearness of eternity,
the misery of lamps expired, when the voice of the Bridegroom is heard.

May we never forget that . . .
Your eye always sees us;
Your ear always hears us;
Your recording hand commits all to a book of remembrance;
all hidden works must be unveiled at the judgment day!

Above all things--may we seek Your favor!

Above all things--may we dread Your frown!

May Christ be the pulse of our hearts.

May He speak in every word of our lips.

May He shine in every step of our earthly walk.

Grant our requests, for His dear sake. Amen.

Love the Lord!

Daily Promises
Blue Letter Bible
July 28, 2009

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: [for] the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. (Psalms 31:23)

His strength is beyond imagining and with it He promises to preserve His children ever in their faith! None may snatch you from His hand, O child of the Lamb, for He is adamant: you are His and His alone! Love Him, therefore, and follow Him all your days!

More on God's Faithfulness and His Promises

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
July 24, 2009

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

When we are considering the promises of God, it is invaluable to keep His faithfulness in view. Our present verse helps us focus on the faithfulness of God, while offering more promises from our God of promises.

The setting for our meditation is temptations (or, testings). "No temptation has overtaken you." It is interesting to note that this word translated temptation could also be rendered as "testing." This gives insight into the question frequently raised during difficult times: "Is this the enemy, or is this the Lord?" In the midst of the battles of life, the enemy of our souls wants to tempt us into wrong responses like doubt, fear, or compromise. On the other hand, in the same battles, the Lord wants to test us (to exercise our faith). Appropriately, this one term can be used for both situations. Thus, in any temptation or testing, we can be assured that our struggles are not unique. "No temptation [or, testing] has overtaken you except such as is common to man." Whatever our struggle, the Lord has dealt with it innumerable times before.

More significant than the commonplace nature of our difficulties is the faithfulness of God: "but God is faithful." This is the pivotal issue in our impossibilities. Too often, we find ourselves fainting at the challenges that we face. We sense our own unreliability. We are concerned that we may prove unfaithful. God wants us to concentrate on His faithfulness.

After reminding us of God's faithfulness, the Spirit brings forth two promises that provide hope to those in temptations and testings. First, God will not allow battles that are inappropriate for our stage of spiritual growth. He"will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." Second, God will eventually provide a way out of the battle. He "will also make the way of escape." If we respond in godly faith to the enemy's "mortar shells," the Lord will not allow him to destroy us. Whatever the difficulty involves, the Lord will see us through ("that you may be able to bear it"). We can count on God fulfilling these promises, because "God is faithful."

Dear Lord, thank You for exposing the lie of the enemy that my trials are unique. Thank You for promising to see me through and bring me out. Lord, help me to rest my expectations on Your faithfulness, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Jesus paid it all

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
—1 John 1:7

"Cleanseth," says the text—not "shall cleanse." There are multitudes who think that as a dying hope they may look forward to pardon. Oh! how infinitely better to have cleansing now than to depend on the bare possibility of forgiveness when I come to die. Some imagine that a sense of pardon is an attainment only obtainable after many years of Christian experience. But forgiveness of sin is a present thing—a privilege for this day, a joy for this very hour. The moment a sinner trusts Jesus he is fully forgiven. The text, being written in the present tense, also indicates continuance; it was "cleanseth" yesterday, it is "cleanseth" to-day, it will be "cleanseth" tomorrow: it will be always so with you, Christian, until you cross the river; every hour you may come to this fountain, for it cleanseth still. Notice, likewise, the completeness of the cleansing, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin"—not only from sin, but "from all sin." Reader, I cannot tell you the exceeding sweetness of this word, but I pray God the Holy Ghost to give you a taste of it. Manifold are our sins against God. Whether the bill be little or great, the same receipt can discharge one as the other. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving John; our iniquity is gone, all gone at once, and all gone for ever. Blessed completeness! What a sweet theme to dwell upon as one gives himself to sleep.

"Sins against a holy God;
Sins against His righteous laws;
Sins against His love, His blood;
Sins against His name and cause;
Sins immense as is the sea-
From them all He cleanseth me."

Charles Spurgeon

The Lord preserves His people

(Letters of John Newton)
March 1, 1769

Dear madam,

Through grace, I can say, that, as I never saw more of my own vileness--so I never saw Jesus more precious and desirable; or was more clearly sensible of the vanity of everything without Him, than I have of late. "None but Jesus!" is my motto. All wisdom, righteousness, holiness and happiness, which does not spring from and center in Him--I renounce!

The heart is deceitful,
the world is ensnaring,
the enemy is subtle and powerful.
But we know Him who has said, "My grace is sufficient for you!" He is able to keep us from falling, in every circumstance and situation to which His providence calls us.

The Lord preserves His people--by putting His fear in their hearts, by making them sensible of their dangers, and drawing them to come boldly to His throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in every time of need.

Our daily prayer should be, "Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

We meekly knock at mercy's gate

(Henry Law, "Family Prayers")

"All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind!" Isaiah 64:6

Holy Father, Almighty God,We feel our weakness, our ignorance, our deep corruptions. We meekly knock at mercy's gate. Regard us in tender love--for Jesus' sake. Bend down Your ear--and grant Your smile.

We are blind--be our light.

We are ignorant--be our wisdom.

We are steeped in selfishness--pluck all SELF out of us.

In the deep sense of our guilt--we fly for refuge into the wounded side of Jesus! Be merciful, be merciful unto us--whose only hope is in Your unfailing mercy.

Our sins rise higher than the heavens--but Your merits in our behalf surpass the very heaven of heavens!

Our unrighteousness would weigh us down to hell--but Your glorious righteousness exalts us to Your heavenly throne!

All things in us call for our damnation--but all things in You demand our forgiveness.We appeal, then, from Your throne of perfect justice--to Your throne of boundless grace!

Blessed Jesus, we hide ourselves in the sure covert of Your wrath-appeasing wounds!

Grant us to hear Your voice assuring us: that by Your stripes we are healed; that You have been bruised for our iniquities; that You have been made sin for us--that we might have Your divine righteousness; and that all our vile and grievous iniquities, are forgiven and buried in the ocean of Your sin-concealing blood!We are guilty--yet pardoned!

We are lost in ourselves--yet fully saved in You!

Enable us to cling firmly to Your cross--even as we now seek safety and repose beneath its sin-atoning shelter!

Let floods of sustaining grace from Your inexhaustible treasury, enrich our poor and weary souls.

If the enemy approaches, quicken our steps to flee into the wounds of Jesus as our sure refuge!

Sheltered in the ark of safety, may we cease to tremble at all alarms. May the good Shepherd lead us this day into the green pastures of His refreshing Word, and cause us to lie down beside the rivers of His divine comforts.

These prayers we humbly offer in the name of Jesus Christ, and trusting only in His saving merits. Amen.

Christ is all in all

MORNING THOUGHTS,
or DAILY WALKING WITH GOD
By Octavius Winslow

"Wherefore he is able also to save to the uttermost, those who come unto God by him." Hebrews 7:25

What a witness is this to the power and readiness of Christ to save! And this is the testimony of the Holy Spirit to the blessed Son of God. But He does more than this. He brings home the record with power to the soul. He writes the testimony on the heart. He converts the believing soul itself into a witness that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

And what a gospel is this for a poor sinner! It speaks of pardon–of acceptance–of peace–of full redemption here, and unspeakable glory hereafter. It proclaims a Savior to the lost; a Redeemer to the captive; a Surety to the insolvent; a Physician to the sick; a Friend to the needy; an Advocate to the criminal;–all that a self-ruined, sin-accused, law-condemned, justice-threatened, broken-hearted sinner needs, this "glorious gospel of the blessed God" provides. It reveals to the self-ruined sinner One in whom is his help, Hosea 13:9. To the sin-accused, One who can take away all sin, 1 John 1:7. To the law-condemned, One who saves from all condemnation, Romans 8:1. To the justice-threatened, One who is a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, Isaiah 32:2. To the broken-hearted, One who binds up and heals, Isaiah 61:1. That One is–Jesus. O name ever dear, ever sweet, ever precious, ever fragrant, ever healing to the "poor in spirit"!

What a witness, then, is this which the Eternal Spirit bears for Jesus! He assures the believer that all he can possibly need is treasured up in Christ–that he has no cross but Christ can bear it–no sorrow but Christ can alleviate it–no corruption but Christ can subdue it–no guilt but Christ can remove it–no sin but Christ can pardon it–no need but Christ can supply it. Lift up your heads, you poor, you needy, you disconsolate! Lift up your heads and rejoice that Christ is all to you–all you need in this valley of tears–all you need in the deepest sorrow–all you need under the heaviest affliction–all you need in sickness–all you will need in the hour of death and in the day of judgment.

Yes, and Christ is in all too. He is in all you salvation–He is in all your mercies–He is in all your trials–He is in all your consolations, and in all your afflictions. What more can you want? What more do you desire? A Father who loves you as the apple of His eye–a full Savior to whom to go, moment by moment–and a blessed indwelling, sanctifying, comforting Spirit, to reveal all to you, and to give you Himself, as the "pledge of your inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession." "Happy is that people that is in such a case: yes, happy is that people whose God is the Lord."

The Power of the Potter

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

It is written: “And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee... But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” (Is. 64:7,8) These passages reveal that for one to believe man is in complete control of his own life and destiny is a mistaken assumption. He who has the absolute power to create from Himself has also absolute power over that which He has created. The clay does not dictate to the Potter what He shall form of the clay. The Potter creates what, when, and how He pleases. The clay does not call upon the Potter to demand of Him the creative act, nor does he stir himself up and put himself into the Potter’s hands. He is a dead lump of clay and remains so unless the Potter out of His own purpose chooses to change the fact. The clay cannot act or create his own self; he is at the mercy of the Potter. The Potter quickens at His will.

God declared: “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand...” (Jer. 18:6) Man is unconditionally captivated to the sovereign intent of his Maker. The Potter, and only the Potter, is the decision maker of the grace of His hands. Does man choose to come into this world? Does he choose the date, his parents, his color, his gender, his nationality, or anything else? What does man have to do with his fleshly birth? Absolutely nothing! If he has no power in the fleshly birth, why should he presume he has power in the spiritual?

Apostle Paul asked: “Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” (Rom. 9:21) Who possesses the power, the clay, or the potter? The Creator has the exclusive power to create as it pleases Him. Who has the right and the power to bring into question the divine purposes of his Creator? None! God is God, and He will do as He wills to do. Within His own power the Potter makes vessels of honour and vessels of dishonor that in the ages to come “he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.” (Rom. 9:23,24) As lumps of dead clay, we can but humbly declare of our preparation to glory - Grace, Grace, all of His Power and Grace! Grace and mercy belongs to the Potter.

Safe in God's hands

Daily Promises
Blue Letter Bible
July 7, 2009

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Trust God. He is infinitely able to provide your needs. Entrust your path to His mighty hands. He shall always protect you from the snares of the enemy.. By His strength you are made much more than conquerors! Fear not, for He is infinitely better than your fears!

Jesus did it all

Daily Promises
Blue Letter Bible
July 6, 2009

But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

The King of all kings bore all of our mournful grievances and sorrows, and was afflicted for our evil transgressions. Though He was blameless and holy, Christ was beaten and crucified for our individual well-beings. Yet three days later, Christ resurrected and declared victory over all sin and death! Death has lost its sting and the evil one has been crushed for eternity. The blood of Christ has healed our iniquities and has given us abounding grace, peace, and a tremendous hope.

More on God's Ability and His Promises

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
July 6, 2009

"With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible…For with God nothing will be impossible." (Matthew 19:26 and Luke 1:37)

God's ability has a critical relationship with His promises. The more we trust His ability, the more sure we are of His promises. Man's ability is one of the basic reasons we often doubt human promises. This is one of the significant differences between God's promises and man's promises. Man's ability often runs into human impossibilities. The Lord is not limited by the "impossibility factor." This truth is reflected in two stories of "seeming impossibilities" that lie behind our present verses.

A rich young man came to Jesus, seeking salvation. "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16).. Jesus quoted the law to stir conviction. This man wrongly thought he was performing well. "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:20). Jesus identified with precision the man's basic sin: putting money ahead of the Lord. "Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Matthew 19:21). However, he would not put Jesus ahead of his riches. "When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (Matthew 19:22). Jesus then elaborated on the man's difficult situation. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). The disciples (who wrongly assumed that rich men were the most likely to be saved) wondered how anyone could then be saved. Jesus corrected their faulty thinking. "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:24). Later, Jesus demonstrated that God can even save a rich man (Zacchaeus—see Luke 19:1-10).

Our second story concerns the "impossible" births of Jesus and John, the Baptist. When the angel proclaimed to Mary that she would have a child before she even knew a man in marriage, she was initially staggered by the impossibility of it all. "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" (Luke 1:34). The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). Then, the angel announced that Elizabeth (Mary's elderly, barren relative) was now pregnant. Finally, the angel summarized Jesus' divine conception and Elizabeth's miraculous pregnancy with the heavenly explanation: " For with God nothing will be impossible."

Dear Lord, You are able to do much more than put camels through eyes of needles. You are able to forgive sinners and get them into heaven. Lord, Your ability to do the impossible assures the certainty of Your promises, so I trust in Your word, Amen.