2020 has been a rough year for most everyone due to the pandemic, but my year of angst had nothing to do with pandemic. My kids are grown and out of the house, so no home schooling. My job was protected because I was considered essential staff. So what was my issue?
God and I have been wrestling all year about my plans and his promises. Finally, once I gave up my plans and expectation, I found peace of mind and could move forward.
This message is what came from my struggle and I hope it blesses you.
God’s promises are revealed
Luke 2:26 The Spirit revealed to him that he would not die without seeing the Messiah.
How old was Simeon when he got that promise?
How long did Simeon have to wait?
Do you think He thought it was worth it when he looked on Jesus’ face?
He did not make it a goal or dream to see the Messiah before he died.
God revealed it. It couldn’t be planned. The best goals are the ones that are revealed not planned.
God said to me years ago, “you will not fail” That did not mean I wouldn’t fail at anything, it meant, ultimately, I would not fail at life.
God’s promises are beyond our plans and timeline
When we make God’s promises all about us, we miss big picture. We would be less disappointed with God if we saw God’s promises from a pig picture perspective.
Hebrews 11:8-13
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. vs 12
This has become one of my favorite lines of scripture, “he was as good as dead” I am sure Abraham had a different opinion of himself than the writer of Hebrews.
God can use someone who is either physically almost dead or even spiritually almost dead. God works his promises through willing vessels regardless of the their current condition. God does not need new and shiny things to do his work.
Galatians 4:4
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
I have man/friend who comments frequently on my FB posts and 99% of the time, it is negative. Here is what he said when I posted about God’s promises.
“In my 60’s now I’m sure if he had a plan he forgot to pass it on. Thought working at camp was just the beginning, nope all down hill after that” – Facebook Comment
I feel bad for “Bob” because he looked at his plans as what should happen and when they did not, there was nothing left for him.
Fulfilling a promise
81 year old gets degree.
Sunday, the 81-year-old fulfilled it and a lifelong dream when he received his bachelor’s degree from USF St. Petersburg in general studies.
“My mother she had these beautiful blue eyes and early on she taught me some things but one them was one of the most valuable things you have is your word of honor. To this day. So I said yes mama I’ll go back I’ll graduate. But these blue eyes bore a hole in me and said on your word of honor, knowing I couldn’t take that back,” he said.
“I got out there in the hallway I said ‘I did it!’ Screaming the top of my lungs,” Bandy said.
“No matter how long it takes if it’s a promise, if it’s a desire, find a way do it. If I can do it, anybody can. I’m living proof it can be done,” Bandy said.
Do you think God is excited when he fulfills one of his promises in the life of one of his children? God is not stingy and He’s not slow concerning his promises.
Do you think God is excited when he fulfills one of his promises in the life of one of his children? God is not stingy and He’s not slow concerning his promises.
God’s Promises have been tested Psalm 119:140
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
One of the reasons we should read God’s word is because we see God’s promises tested. We see God making a promise and fulfill it in the life of his people.
God will not forget us
Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Not one of them is forgotten. God does not forget the smallest promise made to the weakest person. Jesus told a prostitute who washed his feet with her tears “Your story will alway be told” and here we are talking about it today. Promise fulfilled.
God remembers our hard work – Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them
We are saved by grace not by works. We can’t work our way into heave but that does not mean out works are of no value. God is not unjust. What we do matters. How we love matters. Who we help matters. Who we serve matters.
Another promise
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
If you are counting on your plan to work out, you better work hard. There is no guarantee my plans or your plans will come to anything,; but God’s promises are true and tested and will be fulfilled in our lives if we receive them.