THE GOD OF POSITIVE PROMISE
Every promise of God finds its affirmative in him, and through him can be said the final amen, to the glory of God. 2 Cor. 1:20, Phillips.
"I'll be there to meet you." His promise was so reassuring! She would be flying some two thousand miles across the country to a large metropolis where she then needed to make a closely timed connection with a bus line in order to arrive at her destination. Having not traveled much, her unfamiliarity with airport terminals caused her no little anxiety. Her friend's quick response filled her heart with warmth. At the airport two days later, however, the last vestiges of comfort had long vanished when her friend arrived, an hour and a half late. "I'm sorry!'' he said too quickly. "I got tied up. Can you catch another bus?"
Making promises comes easily. However, our performance may not always be as good as our intentions. And few things are quite as frustrating and potentially hurtful as broken promises. Besides generating the irritation of being inconvenienced, when someone you have counted on fails you, your relationship with that person can sustain significant damage. Doubts of self-worth can creep in; trust may be replaced with wariness. A hesitancy to take people at their word may develop.
Unfortunately, these attitudes and feelings easily carry over into our relationship with God. Though we don't mean to, we may have hidden feelings of wariness regarding His promises concerning us. Then, since we know we shouldn't feel that way, we also struggle with guilt. What is God's posture toward us in these things?
In our text today we read of "The God of Positive Promise." He understands our need for affirmation, especially since often we do not immediately see the results of His promises. Indeed, that is why He sent Jesus to live among us: to give visual confirmation to His pledged covenant with us. "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 1:12, R.S.V.). God has shown us through the life of His Son that He has forgiven us. He has accepted us. He has made an end to sin--that separation between Himself and us, His troubles children.
God's positive attitude toward us, lived out in the life of Christ, is meant to enable us to express confidently, "Amen! We believe it! Let it happen!"
Every promise of God finds its affirmative in him, and through him can be said the final amen, to the glory of God. 2 Cor. 1:20, Phillips.
"I'll be there to meet you." His promise was so reassuring! She would be flying some two thousand miles across the country to a large metropolis where she then needed to make a closely timed connection with a bus line in order to arrive at her destination. Having not traveled much, her unfamiliarity with airport terminals caused her no little anxiety. Her friend's quick response filled her heart with warmth. At the airport two days later, however, the last vestiges of comfort had long vanished when her friend arrived, an hour and a half late. "I'm sorry!'' he said too quickly. "I got tied up. Can you catch another bus?"
Making promises comes easily. However, our performance may not always be as good as our intentions. And few things are quite as frustrating and potentially hurtful as broken promises. Besides generating the irritation of being inconvenienced, when someone you have counted on fails you, your relationship with that person can sustain significant damage. Doubts of self-worth can creep in; trust may be replaced with wariness. A hesitancy to take people at their word may develop.
Unfortunately, these attitudes and feelings easily carry over into our relationship with God. Though we don't mean to, we may have hidden feelings of wariness regarding His promises concerning us. Then, since we know we shouldn't feel that way, we also struggle with guilt. What is God's posture toward us in these things?
In our text today we read of "The God of Positive Promise." He understands our need for affirmation, especially since often we do not immediately see the results of His promises. Indeed, that is why He sent Jesus to live among us: to give visual confirmation to His pledged covenant with us. "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 1:12, R.S.V.). God has shown us through the life of His Son that He has forgiven us. He has accepted us. He has made an end to sin--that separation between Himself and us, His troubles children.
God's positive attitude toward us, lived out in the life of Christ, is meant to enable us to express confidently, "Amen! We believe it! Let it happen!"
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