A PROMIS HE MAKES IS A PROMIS HE KEEPS

Written 12 October 2016

We know God doesn't change. Ever. Because He says so in His Word, but also because He is not a created being. He is an omnipotent God. We, as fallen humans, constantly change and we tend to lower God to our standards...To prove my point, look at how, we treat people : often we anticipate a reaction on their behalf according to the way we know that WE might have reacted ourselves. This often births misunderstandings and conflict. We do the same with God, ascribing to Him human qualities, while He is so far above that!

God never changes.... This is significant because, if He was changing, we would have no reason to trust Him or any of His promises. It is also important to realize that WE are the dodgy unstable ones and therefore, if God's promises do not seem to come true, the reason is most probably rather OUR incapacity to trust in Him than His ability to perform them!!

Now, since He is unchanging, His Word remains valid, even if some promises were written ages ago. I am specifically referring to Deut 28 today. Did you know that those verses promise prosperity in EVERY field that preoccupies us - our home, kids, finances, travels, bank accounts, country of residence ... BUT a condition applies: obedience! Not obedience to the rites and rituals of the Old Testament, because Jesus has fulfilled that law, but obedience to the love-law. Deut 28:1 says "diligently obey God's voice", it advises to pay attention to what He asks of us, to follow hard after Him, not turning to the right or to the left. Or, in other words: pursue Jesus diligently...

The other day I was struggling with something and I told God "I want to grow stronger against temptation ". Immediately I sensed Him laughing and in my heart I discerned Him saying "you will never grow stronger, but you must grow CLOSER to Me"

He can only keep us from falling if we do what it takes to stay close to Him.

THAT is obedience: to walk with Him.

What is walking with God in practical terms? It's talking to Him every day. Asking for and expecting His guidance. Reading His Word. Being a person of integrity.

It's not always about WHAT you do, but WHY you do it, or more precisely, WHO you're doing it for. If your actions are motivated by your love for God and your understanding of what Jesus had saved you from, obedience will come much more easily than when it's an obligation in order to "not go to hell". If "not going to hell" is the highest motivation... then we are missing the whole point completely!

Yes, Jesus saved us from hell, but more than that, He saved us unto Himself, to be His and in a living relationship with Him. It's about much more than avoiding hell! It's about a heaven-on-earth life with Almighty God as your best Friend (said with all due respect!)

So, back to the promises. If you are walking with God, pursuing Him with all your heart, then you can and may rely on His promises. Expect them. He wants you to! For your finances, your health, your projects, your kids - everything.

Read Deut 28 today!