June 21 devotion - Promises, Promises - Genesis 21:1

Genesis 21:1    Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. (NIV)

            My Grandma Stuart had a saying about people who disappointed her: “He’s a great promiser, but a bad fulfiller.” She came from a small Scottish religious community who were known as Rechabites. Her direct family members were all teetotalers who abstained from drinking alcohol and smoking, which is funny, because of her grandfather, James Doyle, who made his money manufacturing clay pipes for tobacco users. She was a strong-willed person who had a lot of gumption and determination. I guess I get most of my stubbornness and religiosity from her side of the family.

            Throughout the Bible, God constantly makes promises and never fails to fulfill them. In Sarah’s case, from the events described in Genesis 21, He sees to it that she bears a child even in her old age. The same blessing is also accomplished in Luke 1 when the elderly Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist. It’s all part of God’s way of completing the work of His salvation for the people on Earth. God is not only a great promiser; He’s also a great fulfiller.

            Every day, we experience the promises of God in our individual lives and across the entire Earth. His promises are both personal and global, as well as being current and historical. In Jesus, we have the greatest promise of salvation that humanity has ever known; in Christ, we also see the greatest fulfiller of God’s holy words.

Points to ponder

When and where have I experienced God’s promises in my life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, through Your complete obedience to God and the fulfillment of all His promises, we have been given the sacred opportunity of forgiveness of our sins and being eternally restored to God. In response, we dedicate our lives to You and to Your continuing ministry of salvation throughout the world. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully serve and thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at: www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s church bulletin covers called ‘The Promise.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: Promise.

Today's devotion: Crowd Pleasers - 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Today’s readings are: 1 Samuel 9:21-27 and 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9

1 Thessalonians 2:4   On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 

I must confess it – I really like Paul’s writing, especially when he is candid about the Christian faith. He reminds his readers that Christians are not meant to be crowd-pleasers or popularity-seekers. We have been given the Gospel because this is the last and best opportunity that humankind has in order to be saved. If we diminish the message because it will either fall upon deaf ears or we will be ‘not liked, then so be it. The Church was not established by Christ to be like the world; it is meant to disturb the people on this planet.

This is why, in despotic nations who are ruled by tyrants, Christianity is oppressed. Evil people like their easy evil ways; when the Church confronts them with the Truth, tyrants and dictators will eventually fall. Christianity is not a cozy religion, it’s a radical faith.

I must also confess that this is why I dislike Christians attacking the Church for being outdated, unhip, and irrelevant. They should do more reading of Church history, for they will soon discover that the Church is anything but outdated, unhip, and irrelevant. Post-modern people may like to delude themselves about how ineffective the Church is, but post-modern people only see what they want to see and are largely very narrow-minded, self-centered, and hopelessly insecure.

As Paul states, the purpose of our faith is to please God, not other people. If our hearts are full of ourselves, then we will have no room for God, which would be a total shame, for God created our hearts to be filled with His love, so that we could enjoy Him forever.

Questions for personal reflection

What have I done with the Gospel that God has given me? What have I still to do with it?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, Your Life is the Gospel, so we are thankful for learning of, knowing, and loving You. Our lives would be totally different without Your presence and influence. Our hope and salvation, as well as our happiness and restoration all depend upon You alone. Thank You, Jesus, for being our Savior and for giving us Your Gospel. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question of today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is a new stained glass design that I have created called “Celtic Flame.” It depicts the Holy Spirit descending to Earth on Pentecost. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/12061475774_a3b2ebd4f0_b.jpg