Promises

When you get a new car, suddenly you see that model everywhere. You notice it, you are looking for it. It catches your eye because it is already on your mind, you recognize it. You think, “Man, how many people HAVE this car?” Over and over again you see it, because it is fresh to you. It is on your mind.

I think it’s the same way when God is teaching you something. It has happened to me many times (I think I even had a blog post about one of these times, when He was teaching me love). Maybe I hear a sermon, and then that theme is in an article I read. A song comes on reinforcing it. The next passage I read says it again. At some point then my brain, heart, spirit all wake up and say, “OH, I get it!” I wonder how many times in my life God could have done this, been trying to teach me something specific, but my heart, mind, spirit, were not listening. I was too busy, too distracted. I was looking at Fords instead of Chevys (Toyota instead of Nissan, take your pick). Or more likely, I was looking at something completely off, like… chocolate. Our minds, our hearts, like to make connections. We like to see a common thread. Lately, when I have had these moments, I look back and can see where it started. It began with me saying, “My heart is open, teach me Lord.”

What is on repeat in my head this week? Faithfulness. More specifically: God’s faithfulness.

Teaching my Sunday School class: God’s Promise to Abraham, and how he fulfilled that promise.

My kids Awana story and verse this week: Keeping your promises, and “Great is your faithfulness.” ~Lamentations 3:23

Basically every song I listen to:

“Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.” ~ One Thing Remains

“All I have needed, thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.” ~ Great is Thy Faithfulness

“Give me faith to trust what you say.  That you are good, and your love is great.” ~ Give Me Faith

“All the pennies I’ve wasted in my wishing well I have thrown like stones to the sea.I have cast my lots, dropped my guard, searched aimlessly,for a faith to be faithful to me. Through another day, another trial,Another chance to reconcile, To One who sees past all I’ve seen,and reaching out my weary hand,I pray that you’d understand,You’re the only one who’s faithful to me.You’re the only one who’s faithful to me.” ~ Faithful, (Jennifer Knapp)

Reading the book of Romans in my quiet time, (and here we are back at Abraham, and part of this verse was the memory verse in Sunday School): Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.  This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ~ Romans 4:20-22 (emphasis mine)

Coby’s sermon: “The Spirit empowers, we are never alone.” (Sermon on 2 Tim 2:1-6)

It’s everywhere! God is consistent. He doesn’t change. He keeps His promises. I am teaching it to my children, to my Sunday School class, and to myself. We can trust God, because he keeps His promises- because He is faithful. He promises us many things, but these are the ones resonating with me right now:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ~ Joshua 1:5

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” ~ John 14:18

Friends, God is faithful. Ask Him to show you, and He will.