Promises, promises

As the general election looms, we take the opportunity to do as the politicians do and talk about promises.

The difference with this article is that it is not the promises and aspirations of the human mind that we are sharing. It is the promises of God that we are dealing with.

Not to be Broken

We believe that these promises are infallible; that they will be realised in their entirety; that they can influence our lives. Can you truly say that of the promises you are bombarded with in the 2010 General Election Campaign?

Please read on - it will not take more than two or three minutes of your time, but it could be the beginning of a new direction in your life.

He Changed his Life for a Promise

In the Bible, we are told of a man who lived, some 4000 years ago, in what we would consider to be an advanced, knowledgeable, and wealthy civilisation. He lived in the Middle Eastern region often referred to as ‘the fertile crescent’ - an area where the archaeologist has found evidence of advanced civilisation hidden beneath the sands of time.

This man, Abram (later to be called Abraham) was told by God to make a dramatic change to his way of life - he was to leave behind his country, his close family and other relations and to go to a new country - and he didn’t know where that country was!  

What would you have done?  Would you have looked for a reason to obey, or for some benefit?

God gave Abram a promise to back up his command - a promise that Abram’s actions would lead to his involvement in God’s greater dealings with mankind. And because Abram had recognised the work of God in the natural world around him, he trusted God’s word and took action.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him:  ... and into the land of Canaan they came.

Genesis 12:1-5

At every step, as Abram obeyed the detail of God’s call, further detail of the blessing from God was revealed. Next we read that this land of Canaan (known today as Israel) was promised to his descendant(s). Once he was completely separated from his family, as required by God’s command, the land was also promised to Abram for ever.

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. Genesis 12:7 

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Genesis 13:14 

Was the Promise Fulfilled?

Quite clearly, the evidence is that Abram did as he was asked. Just as clearly we know of no one alive today who has lived for 4000 years and who could claim to be this Abram. So did God keep His promise?

This question was recognised by those who spread the Christian message in the first century. One example is Stephen who said:

And he (God) gave him none inheritance in it (Canaan), no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

Acts 7:5

Stephen then went on to recount how other details of the promises to Abram did happen, showing that he (Stephen) believed that the promise was still relevant (you can read of this yourself in Acts chapter 7 and find some of the details referred to in Genesis chapter 15 verses 12-16).

Opportunity for Others to Share the Promise

It is when we turn on further in the New Testament that the writer to the Hebrews tells us the reason why Abram died without inheritance.  

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God... These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth... And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:8 - 40

The Choice is Ours

Put quite simply, the promise that was made to Abram is open to everyone. If we are prepared to put our trust in God and follow His commands, giving them a higher priority than caring for our careers, comfort or allegiance to family, then we can share the promise of life eternal.