The Nature of God's Promises
God always keeps His promises. He is faithful. At the same time, we need to understand that He keeps His promises according to His will and in His way, not in our way. God promised to establish the house and throne of David forever, and He did.(II Samuel 7:16) However, there is not a descendant of David sitting on the throne in Jerusalem today, and there were many years that there was not even a country of Israel. How does that line up with this promise? Let's consider that today.
God told David that his son would build the Temple. However, He told him that if he was not obedient to Him, He would punish him, too. Solomon built the Temple, but he did stray from God, so the kingdom of David was divided and eventually fell. It was God's punishment. He is still planning to fulfill His promise to David. He is fulfilling it spiritually because Jesus was of the house of David. Jesus is our spiritual King, and His Kingdom is forever. Also, Jesus will reign on David's throne in Jerusalem. God will keep His promise in His way.
The same is true for us. Each time we see a promise in God's Word that applies to us, we need to know God is faithful. However, He has the right and the power to fulfill His promise in the way that is best for us, not to hurt us. If He gave us everything, without punishing us for sin, we would be led away from Him. Also, He has the right to fulfill His promises spiritually, instead of physically. Take tithing for an example. God promises to pour out a blessing on those who are faithful to give 10% of their income to Him. He can do that by giving them more money, but He can do that with spiritual blessings, too. He knows what is best for us.
Always remember, we do not tell God how to fulfill His promises. We thank Him for them, as David did. Then, we follow Him and leave the method of fulfilling them up to Him, since He knows what is best for us and everyone.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 10-12.
God told David that his son would build the Temple. However, He told him that if he was not obedient to Him, He would punish him, too. Solomon built the Temple, but he did stray from God, so the kingdom of David was divided and eventually fell. It was God's punishment. He is still planning to fulfill His promise to David. He is fulfilling it spiritually because Jesus was of the house of David. Jesus is our spiritual King, and His Kingdom is forever. Also, Jesus will reign on David's throne in Jerusalem. God will keep His promise in His way.
The same is true for us. Each time we see a promise in God's Word that applies to us, we need to know God is faithful. However, He has the right and the power to fulfill His promise in the way that is best for us, not to hurt us. If He gave us everything, without punishing us for sin, we would be led away from Him. Also, He has the right to fulfill His promises spiritually, instead of physically. Take tithing for an example. God promises to pour out a blessing on those who are faithful to give 10% of their income to Him. He can do that by giving them more money, but He can do that with spiritual blessings, too. He knows what is best for us.
Always remember, we do not tell God how to fulfill His promises. We thank Him for them, as David did. Then, we follow Him and leave the method of fulfilling them up to Him, since He knows what is best for us and everyone.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 10-12.