BIBLE STUDY - Promises, Promises
Date: Jan 25, 2011
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-29, James 2:5, Ephesians 1:13, Romans 1:1-32, Hebrews 11:1-13, Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 11:39-40, 2 Peter 1:3-4, James 1:12, 2 Peter 3:13, 2 Peter 3:4-9, Psalm 119:123
A promise is only as good as the person who makes it. Someone has observed: "America is always a land of promise during an election." The political candidate who promises jobs and a utopia but can't deliver; the bridegroom who promises lifelong commitment, then is unfaithful to his wife; the soldier who pledges loyalty to his country but goes AWOL--all demonstrate that promises can be empty.
What Does God Say?
God promises, however, are never empty. They are totally trustworthy. It seems like you can find gracious promises on almost every page of His Book. Though many of His promises are already completed, there are loads more yet to be fulfilled. God made promises to the first couple as soon as He created them, assuring them of His provision and His purposes (Genesis 1:26-29). When they broke faith with their Creator and sinned, their future seemed hopeless. But God promised them a Savior (Genesis 3:15). And His promises endured and flourished down through the generations of Old Testament history. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David and others received promises from God, assuring them of a wonderful future, although they often didn't see the fulfillment during their lifetimes.
Now is a good time for you to take your Bible and turn to Hebrews 11:1-13. Note especially verses 8-10 and verse 13.
What was Abraham's response to God's promise (11:8)?
What was Abraham looking for in the future (11:10)?
If Abraham and others didn't see the fulfillment, what good was the promise? Well, God's promises are the soil in which faith grows. Look at Hebrews 11:13.
Does it say they died hopeless? How did they die? What had they seen in the promises God gave them? How did it make them look at this life?
Why does God delay the fulfillment of many promises? Read Hebrews 11:39-40 very thoughtfully. What does it say about "us," we who also wait in faith?
My Thoughts
Take a moment to reflect on the promises of God fulfilled in the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ's birth fulfilled promises to Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, Simeon, Anna--and all who sat in darkness and the shadow of death.
But the birth and ministry of Christ Jesus added even more promises that you, as a believer, share in today. Try to find the promises that include you in each of the following verses. Jot them down.
2 Peter 1:3-4
Ephesians 1:13
James 1:12
James 2:5
2 Peter 3:13
My Part
The psalmist expressed something in Psalm 119:123 that all believers should look for--the final outcome of our salvation. Memorize this short verse from the ESV:
"My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise."
And read 2 Peter 3:4-9. Our Lord is coming! Are you ready?
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