Posts Tagged ‘ Promise

The covenant remains unbroken: Ezra Summary

Is God someone who we can depend upon and trust to fulfill His promises? How often do you keep your promises? Does trust come naturally to people or do naturally lack the faith in people? How is trust and faith developed? The people of Israel fell into depravity over the years as men followed their own hearts instead of setting it towards God to find courage to act as He would want. God stripped away everything that the people in Israel held dear. The people of Israel may have thought that the story ended there alone and helpless but God was true to his promise. Read more

God’s promise to David and humanity: 1 Chronicles 17 and 18

I love how the idea of dwelling is used consistently in 1 Chronicles 17 when God tells David that he would not build Him a permeant place to dwell. What does it mean for God to dwell? God is everywhere so when He dwells among us what is that saying? “Thus says the Lord, “You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another.” 1 Chronicles 17:4,5  The idea of God dwelling in one particular place confuses me since He is omnipresent. Is dwelling similar to the idea of abiding? God chose to dwell among the people of Israel. Do you sense the amazing reality of the fact that God chose to dwell among the Israelites. God didn’t need the Israelites because He needs nothing but He still desired them. Read more

God’s promise to Abraham and a prayer prayed: 1 Chronicles 3 and 4

When you read through 1 Chronicles chapters 3 and 4 you will again find a detailed genealogy. Chapter 3 is devoted to the descendants of David while chapter 4 starts the listing of the genealogies of the tribes of Israel with the descendants of Judah and Simeon. Do you appreciate all the names that are given? Do you care about the names of the people? As I read through all of these names I am amazed at God’s faithfulness. Abraham was given a promise that from his seed he would have descendants numberless as the sand on the seashore. This genealogy is proof again that God will complete the promises he makes to us. Take hope knowing that God never casually gives a promise to us. Read more

True worship of God expressed in love: 1 Kings 7 and 8

Why did Solomon build such an amazing Temple? Why are we given such details about the actual Temple building and all of the fixtures within the Temple? Does God look at the physical building when people gather to worship him or does He look upon the motives of the people who are gathering to worship Him? What do you think God cares about? The question of how we worship God is nothing new because we are always trying to obtain a direct, tangible, and concrete definition of what faith in God truly looks like. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Hebrews 11:1,2 In Hebrews we are told that the men of old gained approval by faith and a long list of noteworthy people of renown are listed. So why did Solomon build this temple for the Lord? What does worship look like? What is expressed in worship? Read more

God’s sovereignty in tribulation instills clarity: 2 Samuel 15 and 16

Who is David? As I have read through 2 Samuel I have been getting a better picture of this great leader of Israel. My initial view of David prior to this time of quiet reflection about his character was built upon what I heard in sunday school, church services, and bible studies. I remember hearing that David was a man after God’s own heart but I never wondered about him in a deeper way beyond the touted characteristics repeatedly presented to me. The picture that we are presented in 2 Samuel shapes David into a man plagued with personal problems, family problems, and problems ruling over Israel but the consistent trait that David displays through out his life is total dependance upon God. Read more