Promises, Promises

A favorite television show detailed exploits of a man who would read a newspaper that supposedly was written the next day. After reading of future tragic or unfortunate “news”, the hero would manage to involve himself in the situation in such a way as to prevent the events from occurring.

Makes for good entertainment, but nobody can really tell the future, right? Wrong. God, who is eternal, not only knows the future, He orchestrates it and brings it to completion. Looking back through the classic, “A Handbook for Christian Maturity”, by Campus Crusade for Christ founder Dr. Bill Bright, I found this section:

“Jesus Christ is the subject of more than 300 Old Testament prophecies. His birth nearly 2,000 years ago and events of his life have been foretold by many individual prophets over a period of 1,500 years. History confirms that even the smallest detail came about just as predicted. It confirms beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the true Messiah, the Son of God and the Savior of the world.”

Dr. Bright goes on to list these Old Testament prophecies, along with their New Testament fulfillments:
His birth: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18, 22, 23.
His birthplace: Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4, 6, 7.
His childhood in Egypt: Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14, 15.
The purpose for His death: Isaiah 53: 4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24.
His betrayal: Zechariah 11:12, 13; 13:6; Matthew 26:14-16; 27:3-10.
His crucifixion: Psalm 22; Matthew 27.
His resurrection: Psalm 16:9, 10; Acts 2:31.

Has anyone ever made you a promise and not come through? Have you made commitments you haven’t carried out? Sometimes situations prevent keeping one’s word, but usually it happens through apathy, forgetfulness, or busy-ness. People aren’t always dependable. And we learn not to fully trust others, especially when we’ve been stung.

God, however, is completely trustworthy:
“There has not failed one word of all His good promise...” 1 Kings 8:56
“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Before Adam and Eve had left the garden, the first prophecy was pronounced (Genesis 3:15). The cry of Bethlehem’s Babe echoed the prophet’s message. The Psalmist’s foretelling resounded on the glorious resurrection morning.

What does this tell us? God is faithful; He’s fully dependable. And when the going gets rough, and I need someone (Someone) I know I can depend on, He’s definitely the one!

As we meditate on the promise fulfilled in that manger-turned-nursery, let’s thank God for His faithfulness to do what He says He will. Think of other Scriptural truths you’ve seen come to pass for you. Yes, life can be tough, but God is enough.

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)