Warriors Arise: October 28, 2020
Luke 24:44-49 (NKJV) Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
I think in this time and age, we struggle to give value to a promise. It may be because we use it to emphasize meaning, assuring what we said we will do. It may be because we use it to get us out of being pinned down to do something right now. It can be as simple as asking your son to take the garbage out and he responds, "I'll do it on my way out. I promise." Or asking your daughter to clean her room before supper, "Can I finish what I am working on first? Then I will, Mom." But what happens, your son is running late to his next obligation, as he is racing out the door the garbage remains right were it was. When your daughter comes down for supper you ask her, "How's it going?" She responds, "I can't wait to show you the painting I am doing!" To which you might respond, "The painting you started after you finished cleaning your room?" Her big eyes look up at you.
This doesn't mean that I don't make promises to do something my kids want and then get busy with all the to-dos of my day and forget that I promised I would read them book, listen to their music piece, play a game or watch a movie, in the infamous time zone of when-I-get-done. They have learned that my to-do list can grow as the day goes on. I have learned that as well. Many times the best thing to do so I don't forget or break my promise is to read to them when they ask, listen to their music piece when they are ready for an audience, play the game or watch the movie. If I can't do it right then, I have learned to give them a time frame. This helps me keep my promise.
Jesus tells the disciples, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you...". We can trust Jesus. He has done everything He said He would do. He has done everything His Father has sent Him to do. What He says happens. When He commanded the demons to come out of the demoniac, they came out. When He told the winds and waves, "Peace, be still" they stilled instantly. He even fulfilled Scripture of all the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had spoken of Him. Jesus is perfect; therefore, when He declares a thing, it is a promise. It will come to pass. When Jesus said, "Behold, I send..." arrangements have already been made and we will definitely get what Jesus said he is sending us.
Numbers 23:19 (NKJV) God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
The issue is our issue not God's. God does not lie, so when He makes a promise we will see Him fulfill that promise. However, we also need to pay attention to when a promise is given that has a part for us to complete in order the promise to be fulfilled. When we do not pay attention to the "if-thens" we can be angry with God for not fulfilling His promise. It was a promise to be fulfilled upon our completion of what we had been asked to do. We cannot hold God accountable for fulfilling an "if-then" promise when we did not do the "if" in order to receive the "then."
Are there any promises God has spoken to you specifically that have not been fulfilled? As you remember what God said at the time the promise was given, what were His words? Was it an "if-then" promise? Did you do your part completely? We want to hold God accountable for not fulfilling His promise, when we allow ourselves the choice of not doing what was asked of us. If you should remember that you did not complete what you were asked, forgive yourself and ask forgiveness from God for blaming Him, accusing Him of not fulfilling what He promised. He may give you a second chance, but you need to see you were the one responsible for blocking the promise He gave.
Father, I ask for You to come and speak Your life to me. I ask for You to remind me of the times I have blamed You. I even accused You of not fulfilling Your promises to me. I have been wrong. I wanted what You promised without completing what You said I needed to do before receiving the promise. There are times I did other things instead of what You asked. I hoped those other things would be an acceptable replacement for what You asked. I was wrong. I ask, "Will You forgive me for doing other things than what You asked for me to do?" I ask, "Will You forgive me for accusing You of not fulfilling Your promise when I was the one who didn't do what You asked of me?" Thank You for Your loving-kindness and forgiveness. At this time, would You like me to do what You have asked at the time you gave me the promise? Help me to hear You clearly and complete the things You have asked me to do. I pray for courage to admit my wrong. I pray for boldness to start again. I pray You would direct Your people to call out to You for Your plan. Lead us into righteousness. Guide us with Your Word. Encourage us with Your faithfulness. I ask for our loyalty to be given to You and You alone in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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