God is a promise maker, and so are we.  We often make promises, at times, with the best intentions. Then there are others who make promises they never intend to keep. However, the differences between us making promises and the promises that God makes, is we do not control the outcome, but God does.

“The mouth of God and the hand of God are tied together.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

Not only is God a promise maker, but He is also a promise keeper. Throughout the scripture we witness the promises He keeps.  God promised Israel a land of their own, He promised that David would be King, He promised one day that a savior would come.

As we continue to examine faith and its role in our relationship with God there is a new understanding that comes as our faith evolves. When we look at the scripture, we see the plight of Sarah, her faith, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to her and Abraham.

“Every promise made He has the potential to fulfill.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

Trust the Faithfulness of God

 

Hebrews 11:11 – “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

The scripture tells us that Sarah received strength to conceive, but because she judged Him faithful, meaning she considered Him reliable and trustworthy, she did not allow her own thoughts to dispute the promise.

Imagine, if you will, the conversation between Sarah and Abraham as it relates to the promise God had for them.  God gave the promise of conception to a couple advanced in years, and Sarah judged Him faithful at the start, getting ahead of her own thoughts, and coming into concert or agreement with what God said in the beginning. In Lamentations 3:21 we are reminded to have hope.

 

Depend on the Power of God 

“Our power can never bring about His promise.” – Pastor Billy Johnson.

Not only do we trust the faithfulness of God, but we must depend on the Power of God, for He never makes a promise He will not fulfill.  God’s power is omnipotent, meaning full of power.  He is holding up everything by the power of His word.  In the scripture we see the question that arises:

Genesis 18:14 – “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

In promising Sarah and Abraham the gift of a son, God had to put many other things in place, by His power, to accomplish and fulfill the promise.  In asking is anything too hard for the Lord, we see the answer revealed in the promise kept.

We Must Understand the Timing of God 

The timing of God is critical. When the promise has been spoken, this is when the warfare occurs, and we must keep our soul encouraged. When we think of Sarah and Abraham, it is possible when they were given this promise that they were still unsure.  Perhaps they were unsure until they could see evidence of the promise.  Many things had to happen, things had to take place, and even before they saw evidence of the promise it was already there.

In the scripture of Ecclesiastes 3 we are reminded that there is a season and a time for every purpose.  Within the season you may have an appointed time.  A time that you are aware that something is brewing, that the promise has been spoken, the acts are occurring in such a way to fulfill that promise.

In closing

Hebrews 6:15 – “And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

We must factor in the promise of God’s will, and we must factor in His power. As it is often customary, we have seen promises fulfilled, not simply in the last hour, but indeed, in the last moments.  As this reflects that there is a season and time for all promises to be fulfilled.  As we endure in waiting, we must trust the faithfulness of God, depend on His power to keep His word, and understand the timing of that promise in His will.