February 2006
02.17.2006
ne Parson’s Opinion
In our Sunday evening worship service I spoke on one of the favorite passages in the Bible, Psalm 23.
What a treasure chest of promises are in this psalm!
If you were not able to be in the church service let me give you the three promises found in the text:
- There is the provision of the Shepherd. I have everything I need (verses 1-3).
- There is the protection of the Shepherd. His rod and staff protect me (verses 4-5).
- There is the presence of the Shepherd. I will dwell with the Lord forever (verse 6).
The promises of the Word of God are significant because of where the promises originate and to whom they are addressed.
God Almighty is the originator of the promises in the Bible. Because God is the one making the promises we should not take these promises lightly or flippantly.
If I promise you I will do something, in all probability, I will follow through. I do what I promise (most of the time!). However, there is a little bit of doubt in your heart. This doubt says, “I wonder if he will?” Especially, if in the past I have not done what I said I would do.
Our attitude to the promises of God should not be like your attitude to my promises. We should never wonder, “Will He?”
God cannot lie. What He promises He will do!
In Psalm 23, God, our Shepherd, promises to lead us, restore us, and guide us (verses 2-3) for His “name’s” sake. You see God’s reputation is at stake in His doing what He says He will do.
In Hebrew thought, the name represents the character of a person, even more, the person Himself is represented by the name. So, the Lord is putting His reputation on the line when He makes a promise to us in the Word of God. He is pledging Himself to do what He promises to do. So, He will do what He says He will do.
Now, of course, we cannot tell Him how, or when or where - But what He promises He will do.
It is significant to notice also the recipients of the promises in the Word of God.
Most of the promises are to the followers of Jesus. The exception would be the promises which refer to becoming a Christian.
A “pagan” is not a recipient of a promise like “Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!” or like Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!” The Christian is the recipient of the promises God made.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, do you not see the promises of the Word are for you? The promises were made by God with you in mind. You and your situation were on His heart when He made the promises long ago in the Book.
Let me remind you of 2 Corinthians 1:20 which encourages us to take God’s promises seriously. For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
See you on the Lord’s Day,
Jim
Posted by arbc at 02:30 PM
