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The Certainty of God's Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope for an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

 

Why did God add His oath to the promise He gave to Abraham with regard to God's giving Abraham many descendants? If an oath is taken in addition to a promise, it adds the assurance that the promise will be kept. Since God is truth, He cannot lie.

 

Have you ever broken a promise...an oath? We do not like to admit it, but our imperfection reveals that although our intentions are good, we often give in to temptation and break a promise. Breaking a promise is lying, and God tells us repeatedly in His Word that He hates the sin of lying. Not realizing how easily we are sinning, we suffer negative consequences of our own making like guilt that doesn't go away easily.

 

On the other hand, because God is truth and has even given an oath, we can be secure in His promises, as was Abraham, who waited for 25 years to see his son Isaac born. This beautiful example of God's love and faithfulness gives us hope and security in all of the promises of God, first and foremost, the promise of Salvation. The crux of the matter is, if we in honesty, openness and sincerity ask God for forgiveness, we will receive it. Because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice on the cross, the way is open for us. Romans 10:9 - If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

Finally, who is Melchizedek? The first priest mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14, king of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of El Elyon (“God Most High”- Hebrew Bible) described as a priest forever. When another priestly order was established by God, the Levitical priesthood, Aaron and his descendants did not carry it out perfectly, and each died. However, Jesus has become a high priest, not by birth like the Levites, who lived and died failing in their charge, but by fulfilling the mission God gave Him and living a life that has overcome death. He forever lives to make intercession for us and has become God's high priest and ours forever.

“Standing on the promises of Christ my king.

Through eternal ages let His Praises ring!

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing -

Standing on the promises of God!

 

Our Father God, thank You for Your promise with an oath to Abraham and for the fulfillment of that promise which gives us the blessed assurance of our Salvation, In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

 

Sarah (Sally) Messmer

star19mess@gmail.com

 

Prayer Concern - That each of us might prayerfully consider a situation before making a promise.