Our Daily Bread 26 September 2020 Devotional Message for Saturday
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Topic: Promise-Keeper
Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 6:13–20(NIV)
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 1–2, Galatians 5
Key Verse: After waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. – Hebrews 6:15
Today’s Insight: The ancients sealed their promises with an oath in the name of a superior being, often a deity, to confirm the veracity of the promise (Hebrews 6:16), invoking punishment if the promise wasn’t kept. Israel swears oaths in God’s name only (Deuteronomy 6:13; 10:20). To encourage Jewish believers suffering because of persecution, the writer of Hebrews focuses on His faithfulness to His promises. Hebrews 6:13–15 alludes to Genesis 22:15–18. When God made promises to His people, there was no greater being to guarantee His commitment. Since He’s the only true God and no one is greater than He is (Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; Isaiah 44:6), He can only “swear by himself” (Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13). God’s oath doesn’t need any confirmation from anyone else. His character is His word (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29), for “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18).
Our Daily Bread 26 September 2020 Devotional Message
Gripped by the gravity of the promises he was making to LaShonne, Jonathan found himself stumbling as he repeated his wedding vows. He thought, How can I make these promises and not believe they’re possible to keep? He made it through the ceremony, but the weight of his commitments remained. After the reception, Jonathan led his wife to the chapel where he prayed—for more than two hours—that God would help him keep his promise to love and care for LaShonne.
Jonathan’s wedding-day fears were based on the recognition of his human frailties. But God, who promised to bless the nations through Abraham’s offspring (Galatians 3:16), has no such limitations. To challenge his Jewish Christian audience to perseverance and patience to continue in their faith in Jesus, the writer of Hebrews recalled God’s promises to Abraham, the patriarch’s patient waiting, and the fulfillment of what had been promised (Hebrews 6:13–15). Abraham and Sarah’s status as senior citizens was no barrier to the fulfillment of God’s promise to give Abraham “many descendants” (v. 14).
Are you challenged to trust God despite being weak, frail, and human? Are you struggling to keep your commitments, to fulfill your pledges and vows? In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God promises to help us: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” For more than thirty-six years God has helped Jonathan and LaShonne to remain committed to their vows. Why not trust Him to help you?
Reflect & Pray
Why do we find God’s promises to help us difficult to embrace? What promises are you challenged to keep in this season of your life?
God, thank You for being faithful in Your commitments to me. Help me to be faithful in my commitments to You and others.
